SHAH ALAM, Aug 3 — Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari has warned that the rise of far-right ideologies and divisive thinking in Malaysia could undermine the nation’s economic progress, social cohesion, and long-term competitiveness.
Speaking at the Selangor Civil Servants Assembly and launch of the state-level ‘Fly the Jalur Gemilang’ campaign in conjunction with National Day, Amirudin said
As such, Selangor must continue embracing openness, diversity, and continuous reform to remain a progressive and globally competitive state.
“Today, the world is facing a new challenge: the rise of far-right ideology. It glorifies narrow-mindedness and encourages people to see those who are different, whether in race, religion, ideology, or skin colour, as enemies to be fought or eliminated,” he said.
Amirudin was delivering his speech during the Selangor Civil Servants Assembly and launch of the state-level ‘Fly the Jalur Gemilang’ campaign in conjunction with National Day, at the State Secretariat Building today.
He added that such thinking runs counter to Selangor’s identity as a metropolitan state, whose economic strength has been built on openness to diverse cultures, technologies, and ideas.
Malaysia can only become stronger by embracing openness, which does not mean abandoning one’s identity, but having the confidence to learn from others while remaining rooted in one’s own values.
“We must preserve who we are while opening our minds and hearts to learn from the strengths of other cultures and societies,” Amirudin said, noting that diversity should be viewed as an opportunity rather than a threat.
Later in his speech, the Menteri Besar cautioned that the far-right movement associated with United States President Donald Trump and his supporters had contributed to a broader global trend that is beginning to influence Malaysia.
“As we face a crisis with no clear end, driven by the growing far-right mentality, especially that associated with Trump and his supporters, we are beginning to see signs of the same trend emerging in Malaysia.
“We must recognise and confront it. The challenge is not only about the economy, but also about the strength of our thinking and the resilience of our spirit. That is our responsibility in Selangor — not only to develop and strengthen the economy, but to build the state into one that is confident and resilient,” he said.
Amirudin also called for continuous reform in Selangor’s administration, emphasising that improving governance and admitting mistakes are more important than simply changing political leaders.
Government agencies must also improve their communication to counter misinformation and misconceptions.
“Communication today requires repeated explanations; it is not enough to issue one statement. Public institutions must continue explaining their decisions clearly because they are constantly being watched from every angle,” he said.
