It’s not just about making profits, be more people-centric, Selangor DAP advises new MB

Selangor DAP chairman Tony Pua urges the state government to focus on areas which are neglected by profit-making enterprises. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, September 23, 2014.

In pledging its full support for newly-minted Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali, DAP Selangor, however, wants the new state government to steer clear from the business of making profits.

Selangor DAP chairman Tony Pua said the state government and companies linked to it must instead refocus on areas which are neglected by profit-making enterprises, including affordable housing and better transportation infrastructure.

"It is not the business of the government to be in the business of making profits.

"The best government is one which creates the most conducive environment for businesses to thrive," said Pua.

DAP is also hopeful that the new administration led by Azmin, and the new exco line-up to be announced soon, will be more consultative and people-centric in order to be able to fulfil Pakatan Rakyat's promises to the people.

"With the appointment of Azmin, the new government has been given a fresh start to succeed where the previous administration had failed, and to achieve a higher level of success than Pakatan did in the first five years of our administration from 2008 to 2013," he said.

Pua added that as a government, Selangor must adhere to the highest standards of accountability and transparency, adding that this could be achieved by implementing policies such as fully competitive tenders and disclosure of assets.

"We must be a government with zero-tolerance for corruption and cronyism by punishing the guilty and promoting the clean and competent.

"As an administration which opposes the abuse of power and clamp down of civil liberties by the Barisan Nasional federal government, Selangor must prove itself to be a beacon of hope by actively implementing our democratisation policies," he added.

Pua also said that there was a need to ensure that elected representatives, councillors and civil servants, particularly in the local councils, listen to the rakyat they serve, instead of sitting on a pedestal.

"We believe that by working as a team, Azmin Ali will be able to take Selangor to greater heights by making it the best-run state in the country," he said.

Azmin took his oath of office as the 15th Selangor MB before the Sultan of Selangor at Istana Alam Shah, Klang, this morning.

DAP and PKR have accepted Azmin as the new Selangor MB following the endorsement by PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who ‎withdrew her candidacy for the post last night.

PKR and DAP had initially insisted that Dr Wan Azizah was the only candidate suitable to helm the state.

Over the last few weeks, PKR had repeatedly said it was sticking to its stand of nominating only Dr Wan Azizah for the MB post, despite reprimands from the Selangor palace over its decision to submit only one name.

DAP and PKR had submitted only Dr Wan Azizah's name for the post, although DAP was open to the idea of Azmin replacing Khalid.

PAS, however, broke ranks with its partners when its president, Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, submitted three names to the palace.

Selangor DAP also expressed concern today over how the will of the majority in the state assembly had been trampled upon, but added that it was equally important that the political crisis ended swiftly.

- TMI