By Danial Dzulkifly
GOMBAK, Aug 6 — Although Terengganu earns an excess of RM2 billion annually compared to Selangor's RM1.8 billion, it is still one of Malaysia’s poorest states, said Selangor Pakatan Harapan chairman Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
In his view, this came about due to mismanagement and a lack of clear economic direction under Perikatan Nasional's (PN) leadership.
“Look at Terengganu, they collected more than RM2 billion yearly in income. The state has an abundance of natural resources and even oil royalties.
“Selangor, in contrast, does not have REE (rare earth elements) or oil royalties and only earned RM1.8 billion in revenue. Yet even with the RM200 million difference, we managed to contribute the most to the national economy.
“Why is this the case? Because they lack focus and proper administration. So I ask Selangor’s voters, would you want our state to end up like Terengganu or even Kedah?’’ Amirudin said during a ceramah held at Laman Bougainvillea in Kampung Sungai Kertas yesterday night.
According to the latest official data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia, Selangor's contribution to Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP) stood at 25.5 per cent last year.
This was a notable increase from 2021 when Selangor's contribution to the national GDP stood at 24.8 per cent.
Drawing further comparisons, Amirudin, who is also the Menteri Besar, said the PN-led states of Kedah, Terengganu, and Kelantan could only manage to collectively contribute 7.7 per cent to the national economy.
He urged voters not to let themselves become distracted by the abrasive conduct and divisive racial and religious rhetoric of certain PN leaders.
“Do we want to follow the examples of these people? Picking a fight everywhere we go, deliberately making people angry and creating controversies?
“PN only knows how to pick fights. They wanted power here so they could pick a fight with the federal government and create further instability,’’ Amirudin said.
In the state election campaign trail, the criticisms against Amirudin's leadership in Selangor by PN leaders have amplified, targeting his policies and even personal appearance, with Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Sanusi Md Nor being especially vocal.
