Visionary leader

Sultan Muhammad V pouring water on a sunflower to mark the launching of Kelantan’s Agriculture Expo in Kota Baru in June 2012. Looking on is state agriculture executive councillor Che Abdullah Mat Nawi.

YANG di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V is a visionary Ruler who took food security issues seriously long before becoming the supreme commander of the Malaysian Armed Forces.

As food security is vital for national security, Sultan Muhammad had during various occasions expressed concern over lack of food sustainability in view of the nation’s over-dependence on imported rice, vegetables and meat.

As observed in conflict zones, food insecurity could potentially lead to social unrest.

Sultan Muhammad V, when he was the chancellor of Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), commanded that due attention be given to the agriculture sector to promote food security.

UMK promptly responded by setting up Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture Institute to look into ways to drive the agriculture sector forward.

The university also set up a Heritage and Creative Technology Faculty, as Sultan Muhammad V wants to see Kelantanese benefiting from a vibrant tourism industry.

The state of Kelantan has great potential as a tourist destination because it is rich in history and culture. UMK vice-chancellor Datuk Dr Mortaza Mohamed said Sultan Muhammad V called for greater focus on agriculture and tourism sectors as it could help generate revenue for those in the lower income group.

This is in line with UMK’s focus on championing entrepreneurship education. UMK had also introduced Social Enterprise for Economic Development (SEED) programme in collaboration with East Coast Economic Region to study resources that could be used to further promote cottage industries.