KUALA LUMPUR FEB.28: His Majesty Yang Di-Pertuan Agong XVI Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’Ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah urges the government and the people to continue strengthening the national strategies and resilience to face the challenges posed by COVID-19.
His Majesty Al-Sultan Abdullah said, the nation’s economic recovery needs to be accelerated so that the country will not be left behind. Ease the people’s affairs to help them rebuild their lives with a sense of security, peace, and wellbeing for the sake of our beloved country.
“We are very pleased and grateful for the political stability following the bi-partisan cooperation through the Memorandum of Understanding on Transformation and Political Stability signed between the Government and the Opposition.
“Alhamdulillah, at present the political climate is more stable to ensure the success of the nation’s development agenda for the benefit of the people and the nation’s future.
“As a result of this agreement and maturity, amendments to the Federal Constitution related to the 1963 Malaysia Agreement were successfully approved by more than two-thirds of Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara members last December. Indeed, the event will definitely be ranked as a historic moment for Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian Family).
“Political maturity as such is eagerly awaited by all. Moving forward, we urge all Honourable Members to continue maintaining this understanding and preserve the political stability that has been achieved,” His Majesty Al-Sultan Abdullah said in his speech at the Opening Ceremony of the Fifth Session of the Fourteenth Parliament, here today.
His Majesty Al-SultanAbdullah said, while the nation at the moment is increasingly ready to enter the endemic phase, we hope that the transition will be made carefully.
“We support the National COVID-19 Testing Strategy and the affirmative action taken by the Government to reduce the price of self-test kits as a means to strengthen public health actions and community empowerment. Such an approach will enable the opening of economic and social sectors safely.
“We also support the Government’s aspiration to popularise science and humanise technology. In line with these aspirations, the cultivation of science through social innovation will generate human capital that is altruistic in addressing issues of poverty, health and social well-being.
“We hope that the Government will continue to strengthen research, development, commercialisation and innovation programmes in priority areas including artificial intelligence, robotics, bioscience and space,” His Majesty Al-Sultan Abdullah said.
His Majesty Yang di-Pertuan Agong also congratulated the Government on successfully actualising 558,633 job placements for the people compared to the 500,000 targeted for 2021.
Meanwhile, for 2022 under the Jamin Kerja Keluarga Malaysia initiative, the Government has targeted the creation of almost 600,000 job opportunities. These are aimed at promoting business sustainability as well as in regenerating economic activity so as to ensure that Malaysia remains a major exporter and investment destination in the region.
“We support the Government’s efforts to develop mega rail infrastructure projects such as the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) link and the Mass Rapid Transit Line 3 (MRT3). The implementation of these strategic projects will provide comfort and connectivity to various locations as well as generate development spill over effects to all regions and further improve the living standards of our people.
“We welcome the Highway Network Development Plan 2030 which has been formulated to identify road infrastructure needs towards creating better communication network systems.
“The highway construction projects such as the Central Spine Road (CSR), West Coast Expressway (WCE), Sarawak-Sabah Link Road and the Sabah and Sarawak Pan Borneo Highway will drive regional development and local economic growth. At the same time, infrastructure development for new growth centres in Sabah and Sarawak must be accelerated following the relocation of Indonesia’s capital to the province of Kalimantan,” His Majesty Al-Sultan Abdullah added.
His Majesty Al-Sultan Abdullah added, in building a nation state that is transparent and of integrity, we look at the issue of corruption seriously. We believe the Government is currently implementing policies and initiatives of the National Anti-Corruption Plan through enforcement, prevention and education to combat all forms of corruption.
The Government is also improving its service delivery system through Digital Government initiatives through end-to-end service delivery to ensure greater transparency, efficiency and professionalism.
His Majesty Al-Sultan Abdullah said that he greatly appreciates the loyalty and invaluable contributions of the nation’s frontline personnel, members of the Civil Service, the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM), Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and government agencies who have rendered their services to make Malaysia a peaceful and prosperous nation. –Malaysia World News
