By Amar Shah Mohsen
SHAH ALAM, Aug 2 — Structural reforms that bring about changes benefiting the people have been attributed as a key factor behind Selangor’s continued prosperity.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said since Pakatan Harapan took over the state administration in 2008, it has taken drastic steps to improve the economy, starting with structural changes, to rebuild public confidence in key institutions.
This included empowering assemblymen by enhancing their roles in the Selangor State Legislative Assembly.
“As assemblymen, you must be able to understand the system and enact laws, not just point fingers at drains and act as welfare officers distributing aid every day.
“The state assembly also should not only function three times a year. The function of the legislative is to debate and set policies for the state, criticise the government, and find solutions.
“This cannot be accomplished just by speaking for 15 minutes in the state assembly,” he said at the Intan Minister’s Conversation, which shared the state government’s experience in managing the economy, broadcast live on SelangorTV today.
Amirudin said select committees were set up to enhance assemblymen’s roles and ensure greater accountability and transparency.
He cited the Special Select Committee for Competency, Accountability and Transparency as an example of how the state ensures activities and procedures of government subsidiaries are done in accordance with the law.
Another example is the Select Committee for Local Authorities, he said, a crucial body to scrutinise decisions made by local governments to prevent the creation of “Little Napoleons”, a term used to describe civil servants who exhibit authoritarian behaviour and abuse their power.
“We (also) made changes to the committee focusing on land matters. Previously, they were attended by state executive councillors and assemblymen. From there, we noticed a lot of land being distributed unfairly to family members and friends.
“Today, we entrust these decisions directly to district officers, without political interference. These structural reforms are what have helped drive significant positive changes in the state’s structure.”
Meanwhile, Amirudin said his administration differs from its predecessors in that it focuses on empowering the people, instead of simply giving them what they want for political brownie points.
He noted that during the late Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim and Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali’s times as Selangor menteris besar, the act of giving stood out as a key aspect of their administration.
“They gave free water, Kasih Ibu Smart Selangor aid, RM100 to (parents of) newborns, and RM1,000 to those entering university, among others.
“Did we abandon these initiatives? No. Improvements were made, but we changed our philosophy, from merely giving, to empowering.
“This is because the issue of poverty, for instance, must be addressed via continued assistance, not just one-off aid to gather support during elections.”
