BANTING, Oct 11 — The name of former Selangor menteri besar, the late Dato’ Seri Harun Idris, has been immortalised at a square in Pantai Morib in recognition of his service and contributions to the state, as well as his historical ties to Kuala Langat.
Kuala Langat Municipal Council (MPKL) president Amri Ismail said Harun’s ties to the district began in 1951 when he served as Kuala Langat magistrate.
He said Harun then left the civil service in 1964 to enter politics and chose Morib as the constituency he would represent before being appointed Selangor menteri besar in the same year.
“The people of Morib gave him their mandate, and it was through that mandate that he was entrusted with the responsibility of becoming Selangor menteri besar in the same year,” he said.
He was delivering his address at a luncheon following the inauguration of Dataran Dato’ Seri Harun Idris at the Selangor Public Training Centre (PLAS) in Pantai Morib here today.
Amri said Harun led the Selangor administration for about 12 years, from 1964 to 1976, and played an important role in the state’s development.
His contributions included the development of Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) in 1964 and the establishment of Yayasan Selangor in 1970 to expand educational opportunities for Selangor-born students, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds.
Amri said Harun’s administrative history was also linked to Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj, who gained experience in state administration during Harun’s tenure as Menteri Besar.
In 1969, the Sultan, who was then serving as president of the Selangor Council of Regency, presented Harun with his letter of appointment as menteri besar.
“Today, history feels particularly close because it is not merely the story of a former Selangor menteri besar, but a chapter in an era when His Royal Highness’s late father presided over the state while the late Dato’ Seri Harun Idris led the state government.
“And today, with the gracious consent of His Royal Highness, his name has once again been immortalised in Morib,” he said.
Meanwhile, Amri said efforts to upgrade Pantai Morib also focuses on improving visitors’ comfort and safety without compromising the area’s history and identity.
Earlier, Sultan Sharafuddin officiated the inauguration of Dataran Dato’ Seri Harun Idris in conjunction with the reopening of Pantai Morib, following a RM60.5 million conservation project.
Also in attendance was Selangor’s Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin.
