King urges people to strengthen unity

Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah also calls on the people to continue to provide their support for all programmes under the development agenda.

KUALA LUMPUR: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah today urged the people to constantly strengthen unity and support the development agenda of the government.

He said the people should refrain from doing anything that can undermine national sovereignty or attempt to deny the sacrifice of the country’s freedom fighters.

“I hope that everyone, particularly the younger generation, will strive to understand and appreciate the history of the country’s independence which was born out of the sacrifices of our freedom fighters, and value the freedom we now enjoy,” he said in his royal address opening the first meeting of the fifth session of the 12th Parliament.

Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin were also present at the event, held in the Dewan Rakyat.

Tuanku Abdul Halim called on the people to continue to provide their support and contribution for the realisation of all programmes under the development agenda.

Tuanku Abdul Halim pointed out that the key economic indicators of 2011, such as the 5.1% economic growth, trade volume of almost RM1.3 trillion, foreign investment of RM32.9 billion, direct tax collection exceeding RM100 billion and a low rate of unemployment, were proof that the government’s management of the economy and implementation of policies and programmes were right on track.

“It is the desire of my government that the benefits of economic prosperity derived from the implementation of the national transformation policy are enjoyed by all the people, with none of them marginalised,” he said.

Tuanku Abdul Halim said the civil service, as the pillar of the government machinery, must constantly come up with more creative ideas and new approaches, and be innovative, efficient and open-minded as well as maintain integrity.

Major decisions

He also expressed the hope that there would be enhanced cooperation between the government and the private sector, as the driver of economic growth, for the sake of the country’s future.

He said the country’s march towards becoming a high-income nation by 2020 required not only an economic transformation but also a socio-political transformation.

Tuanku Abdul Halim said efforts to improve laws and regulations, the election system and decision to abolish restrictive laws like the Internal Security Act 1960 were major decisions by the government in the interest of the nation.

The government was also very committed to protecting and ensuring continued independence of the judiciary because it was an important pillar of the democratic system, he said.

He said efforts and commitment of the government to combat corruption was proven by the setting up of the Integrity Enforcement Agency Commission, a Special Sessions court solely to handle corruption cases, introduction of the Integrity Alliance and a higher conviction rate in corruption cases which reached 75% in 2011.

“However, the government still needs the cooperation of all quarters to make the country free of corruption, through initiatives that encompass the aspects of education, prevention and enforcement,” he said.

Tuanku Abdul Halim also said that he was very proud of the active role Malaysia played in striving for global peace by raising issues concerning arms reduction and proliferation, as well efforts to prevent terrorism and transborder crimes.

Human rights

Tuanku Abdul Halim also expressed confidence that the approach of moderation or “wassatiyyah” espoused by the prime minister could contribute to the resolving of conflicts and help bring about global peace by stressing on issues like fundamental human rights and international justice, including for Palestine.

Touching on the role of youths, he suggested that they use all available oppportunies to strive for greater success.

He said youths, who made up 46% of the population, were an important asset and the inheritors who would ensure continued national development.

“Have faith that the youths will always be close to the heart of my government and it will never sideline youths, because without this group, the nation’s heart will be lost,” he said.

At the same time, Tuanku Abdul Halim also urged national athletes who would be competing in this year’s London Olympics to give total commitment to realise the aspirations of the people to see Malaysia win its first Olympics gold at the Games.

-Bernama