SHAH ALAM, 28 Nov -- Sultan Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah (dua, kanan) berkenan melawat pameran pada Majlis Perisytiharan Hutan Warisan Diraja Selangor di iCity, hari ini. Turut hadir Menteri Besar Selangor, Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari (kanan) dan Pengarah Perhutanan Negeri Selangor, Azhar Ahmad. -- fotoBERNAMA (2023) HAK CIPTA TERPELIHARA
PETALING JAYA: Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah wants the Selangor government to buck up and attract more investments into the state.
The Ruler said he was willing to help the state government do this by even throwing open his Kuala Lumpur palace doors for business meetings and gatherings.
His Royal Highness said it was important for the Mentri Besar (Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari) and the state government to draw up a holistic plan to attract investors and at the same time address all of their needs.
“I have said it before, you can use my Istana in Kuala Lumpur, you should invite foreigners, for instance those from Japan, you can invite the ambassador or the CEOs of top companies to discuss what they need,” he said in an exclusive interview with Sunday Star.
From the government’s side, Sultan Sharafuddin said they can bring along top officials from the relevant departments to discuss a win-win solution.
“They should sit down to have a meeting in the Istana and get a hotel to supply the food. You can use my Istana, and the foreigners will be impressed. It will make them feel welcome and whatever the shortfall, it can be addressed immediately,” he said.
The Sultan of Selangor said he had personally received feedback from several investors regarding the lack of facilities in the state during one of his personal interactions with them.
“They told me, ‘Tuanku, the roads are not good and they are not repaired.’ But it is actually a small thing. The Mentri Besar can bring all his men, either the local council, JKR (Public Works Department), and discuss with the investors what the shortfalls are,” said the Selangor Ruler.
On another matter, Sultan Sharafuddin said he will be proclaiming Klang a city soon.
The Ruler also said there had been requests much earlier for Klang to be made a city, but he did not agree to it because it did not meet the mark due to issues related to cleanliness and flooding.
Hence, Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam and Subang Jaya, which met the mark, became cities first.
“They have to clean up,” said Sultan Sharafuddin, adding that the problem he noticed in all local councils was that the councillors were all politicians.
Tuanku said it was not the case in the past whereby the composition was an equal combination of politicians and professionals.
“For example, there were retired engineers and doctors who would go to the ground to look up the problems in the area.
“But if you give the job to politicians, they are not going to go to the ground,” said Tuanku.
The Ruler suggested that a policy be put in place in local councils whereby only potential future assemblymen are made councillors. The remaining councillor positions, added Sultan Sharafuddin, should be filled up by retirees and professionals.
“The councils need a balance.
“There isn’t a need to put just about anyone there (as councillors) to please incumbent assemblymen,” said Sultan Sharafuddin.
