SHAH ALAM, Nov 9 – Raising public awareness of the climate change crisis and strengthening knowledge development will be among the State Government’s key agendas over the next one to two years.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said both areas require focused attention alongside efforts to strengthen the state’s economy, specifically in addressing the challenges posed by climate change and technological advancement.
Amirudin added that climate change must be viewed as a crisis demanding serious attention, not merely a topic for discussion, but a foundational element for policy planning, infrastructure development, and the daily lives of the community.
He noted that the State Government intends to foster a more comprehensive discourse, ensuring the public understands the impacts of climate change and the approaches necessary to confront these challenges.
“If there is one issue that we need to address in the next year or two, it is the climate crisis.
“We rarely highlight the issue of the climate crisis. For instance, what kind of infrastructure is suitable for facing climate change? How do we manage schooling during prolonged periods of extreme heat, heavy rain, or flooding?
“Therefore, I want to open up a more serious discourse, ensuring the climate crisis is not just a narrative element, but a fundamental basis upon which we can tackle these challenges,” he said.
He made these remarks during a special interview with Media Selangor, held in conjunction with the presentation of the Selangor Budget 2027 at the official residence of the Menteri Besar recently.
Last September, Amirudin said climate change, environmental sustainability, education, a skilled workforce, and technological transition are among the key areas being prioritised in preparing the Selangor Budget 2027.
He further emphasised that environmental issues must be addressed collectively, as their impact transcends borders and cannot be resolved by the State Government or the Federal Government acting alone.
A Culture of Knowledge
Apart from the climate agenda, Amirudin said expanding public knowledge remained a priority, including through book publications by Inisiatif Buku Darul Ehsan (IBDE) and organising a Turath festival that brought together prominent Islamic scholars from around the world.
He said IBDE, established in 2016, has published over 100 titles, including translated works, broadening public access to quality reading material.
He added that these efforts have been further expanded through the turath festival and various educational programs designed to foster a culture of knowledge within society.
“Praise be to God, we have published a significant number of books through IBDE, now exceeding 100 titles. I recall that when I took office in 2018, fewer than 30 to 40 titles were available.
“Now, that figure has reached 100, and we have extended this reach through the *turath* festival inviting eminent scholars from all over the world—alongside several other supporting programs.
“While we strive for a resilient economy and pursue opportunities in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI), we are simultaneously nurturing the spirit of the people through educational initiatives,” he said.
Economic Performance
Meanwhile, Amirudin said Selangor has consistently remained the largest contributor to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) throughout the eight years he has led the state administration.
In fact, he noted, the state’s economic value is expected to reach RM500 billion by 2028, further solidifying Selangor’s position as the nation’s economic leader.
“We are the only state to have achieved this. What makes it even more significant is that we managed to reach this milestone after navigating the health, political, and economic crises that unfolded in 2020,” he said.
Last August, Amirudin said Selangor has the potential to reach an economic value of RM500 billion ahead of the target, a projection shared by Malaysia’s Deputy Chief Statistician, Wan Mohd Shahrulnizam Wan Mohd Najuri, during a presentation on the state’s economic performance in late July.
According to a report by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), Selangor remains the largest contributor to the national economy, with its GDP reaching RM460.1 billion last year, accounting for 26.5 per cent of the nation’s total economic activity.
