Najib, leaders and Kelantan folk offer congratulations

Hand-in-hand: Najib wants government parties to be closer to the people.

KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak congratulated Kelantan Ruler Sultan Muhammad V on his selection as the new King.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Malaysia, I wish to congratulate His Majesty Sultan Muhammad V, the Sultan of Kelantan Darul Naim, on his selection as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong XV by the Conference of Rulers for a duration of five years beginning Dec 13, 2016,” he said in a statement here yesterday.

Sultan Muhammad V was selected as the 15th Yang di-Pertuan Agong by the 243rd (special) Meeting of the Conference of Rulers at the Istana Negara here.

Najib also congratulated Perak Ruler Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah who was selected as the Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong for the same period.

He said both the selections were in line with the constitutional monarchy system of the Federation and parliamentary democracy practised in the country.

“My colleagues in the Cabinet and I, as well as the other members of the administration, believe that the country will continue to prosper and progress under the government of Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan Muhammad V,” he added.

Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob said he and all the people of Kelantan pray that His Majesty will always receive the blessings of Allah.

Chairman of the Kemubu Agriculture Development Authority (Kada) Datuk Md Alwi Che Ahmad said the agency staff and the people of Kelantan were very proud with the selection of Sultan Muhammad V as the 15th King.

“Sultan Muhammad is among the youngest Yang di-Pertuan Agong in the history of the nation,” he said in his message.

Kelantan Siamese Association chairman Tim Chau Dam, who represents about 17,000 of the Siamese people in the state, said the community offered the highest felicitations to Sultan Muhammad V.

“The Siamese community hope that His Majesty will continue to look after the interests of the minority groups, especially the Siamese people,” he said.

International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said he was confident the selection of Sultan Muhammad V as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong would be a symbol of unity for all the people of Malaysia, especially in Kelantan.

“We pray that Allah bestows His Majesty with guidance to uphold the principles of Islam and protect the interests of the bumiputra and all the people of Malaysia, as well as protect Malaysia against all attacks.

“We realise that the institution of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is an important one that could unite the people. We are grateful for this selection and are confident His Majesty will carry out his duties in the best way,” he said.

Chairman of the South Kelantan Development Authority (Kesedar) Datuk Abdul Aziz Derashid said the selection of Sultan Muhammad V was timely for him to lead Malaysia in these modern times.

Representing thousands of settlers in the south Kelantan districts of Gua Musang, Kuala Krai, Jeli, Tanah Merah and Machang, Abdul Aziz also expressed his joy with the selection. — Bernama