By Yasmin Ramlan
KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 — The Selangor government is advancing efforts to boost the energy industry due to significant threats posed by climate change, which calls for a pressing need to tackle the issue, said Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
“Just three days ago, on Monday, the world set a new record for the hottest day ever with a global average temperature of 17.15ºC. The previous record for the hottest day was set 24 hours before that, showing that our progress on adapting and mitigating climate change hasn’t been enough and that we must do more.
“That is the driving force behind the Selangor government’s commitment to the energy industry, as I have tasked our agencies and government-linked companies to embark on a plan not to see climate change as solely a threat, but as an opportunity to further innovate in the fields of clean energy,” he said in his speech at the opening of the Selangor Asean Business Conference (SABC) 2024 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here today.
Amirudin said the state administration is committed to hosting the SABC annually not just to build connections or expand networks, but also make significant progress in the energy industry and inspire others in the region to join it, especially with Malaysia set to be Asean chair next year.
He highlighted the critical connection between the environment and economic progress, noting that both are interdependent in achieving sustainable growth.
[caption id="attachment_365393" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari presents a token of appreciation to Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz during the opening of the 8th Selangor International Business Summit, at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, on July 25, 2024. — Picture by AHMAD ZAKKI JILAN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
“I am certain many of you here have made similar commitments to better align your countries and businesses with ESG (environmental, social, and governance) goals, and I assure you this administration in Selangor will work with you to achieve this,” he said.
Apart from the state administration’s commitment to economic advancement, Amirudin said Selangor has stepped up in sustainability development, targeted welfare solutions, and the development of 21st-century governance that is able to deliver and execute plans and policies to the people.
On the First Selangor Plan mid-term review tabled on July 4, Amirudin said the five-year blueprint reflects the state government’s efforts to improve its people’s quality of life through its economic planning framework.
Meanwhile, Amirudin said Asean should evolve from being a low-cost manufacturing hub to a leader in innovation and technology, to tackle the significant challenges of the era.
“To increase intra-regional cooperation, it is paramount we increase trust and commit to collaboration within Asean through shared technological goals to regain a comparative advantage in the global space,” he added.
This year’s SABC, themed “Selangor, the Key of Asean: Accelerating Prosperity through Strategic Connectivity and Resilience”, runs concurrently with the First Series of the Selangor International Business Summit 2024 from today to Saturday.
Also in attendance during its launch were Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, state executive councillor for investment, trade and mobility Ng Sze Han, Selangor State Secretary Dato’ Haris Kassim, and Invest Selangor Bhd chief executive officer Dato’ Hasan Azhari Idris.
