During the morning session of the Selangor state assembly on Wednesday (March 6), Selangor Mentri Besar, Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, lost his temper with the state’s opposition chief, Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, over his constant criticism of Air Selangor and the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) management.
Initially composed, Amirudin responded to Azmin’s concerns about raising water tariffs by mentioning that the water operator had alternative solutions. However, his temper flared when Azmin insinuated that PKNS had strayed from its original purpose and was now merely bailing out companies and wealthy individuals.
Expressing his frustration, Amirudin dismissed the term “bailout” as misleading and blamed Azmin for leaving behind unresolved issues during his tenure as Selangor Mentri Besar.
Despite being advised not to interrupt, Azmin continued to interject, leading to a heated exchange of words and wills between the two politicians. The Dewan Speaker attempted to calm the situation by instructing both to return to their seats, but Amirudin firmly insisted on defending his stance regarding the measures implemented for PKNS to prevent further losses.
As the confrontation escalated, Amirudin gradually regained his composure and thanked Azmin for his input. However, Azmin made it clear that he had more issues to address and vowed to continue after the lunch break.
Amirudin declined to prolong the debate, citing a prior commitment to participate in a parliamentary discussion. Following his exit from the assembly hall, he reassured the media in a press conference that PKNS remained financially stable.
He refuted Azmin’s characterization of PKNS as a bailout entity, stating that past issues had been resolved, resulting in the organization no longer bearing the burden of debt and high operational costs.
By addressing these challenges, Amirudin emphasized that PKNS was now in a more secure financial position and expressed his commitment to ensuring its continued stability.
Amirudin’s firm stance and defense of his administration’s actions underscored his dedication to preserving the financial health and integrity of PKNS, despite the criticisms levelled against him during the state assembly session.
As the political disagreement unfolded publicly, both leaders asserted their positions and clashed over differing perspectives on the management of key state institutions, sparking debate and scrutiny among observers and constituents.
