Amirudin said the ruling alliance of Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) must ensure that all citizens are treated fairly regardless of their ethnic background.
“As the menteri besar, I am Malay and Muslim, but I will take care of all Chinese, Indians, Kadazans and Dusuns. I am the menteri besar for all,” he said when inaugurating the Selangor Indian Executives Association at the Royal Lake Club here.
However, he said responsibility for Indian affairs would be placed under the menteri besar’s office, where previously they were handled by a state executive councillor.
He said efforts for the Indian community included many welfare programmes, two entrepreneurial programmes, identity card regularisation for those not registered, and assistance for Tamil schools and temples.
Amirudin urged PH members not to get too comfortable with their support from non-Malay voters, stating that even a 1% shift in votes could jeopardise the government’s position.
Regarding the loss of Malay votes at the recent state assembly elections, he said: “I will not change our policies, and we will continue equitable programmes for the people. Just because we lost Malay votes doesn’t mean I will give more to the Malays.
“We stand for justice, and we must provide justice and implement justice even if it becomes a problem.”
Amirudin also expressed his belief that the support of Malay voters for Perikatan Nasional would gradually erode because of the negative sentiments often played up by PN leaders.
He said PN is currently at its peak as it enjoys the support of around 60% of Malay voters. However, if its leaders continue to focus on the same narratives, support for the coalition will soon be eroded.
At the state assembly elections earlier this month, the PH-BN alliance lost ground to PN. The alliance only won 34 seats through PH (32) and BN (two), compared to the 2018 elections when PH won 51 of the 56 seats, BN won four seats and PAS one seat.
PH lost four of its 2018 seats to Bersatu, a member of PN with PAS, Gerakan, and others. PN won 22 seats, or almost 40%, to form a strong opposition.
Amirudin said he was confident that Malay voters would come back to support the alliance “after seeing how PN’s elected representatives are trying to stir up conflict within the country”.
“We got 34 seats and they got 22. If they try to repeat the same narrative, divide us, and play on extremist sentiments, that’s not good for our multiethnic society (and) they won’t get anywhere,” he said.