‘Focus on Pahang’s development’

PEKAN: The newly formed Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan state government should put aside political ideology and sentiments, says the Regent of Pahang.

Tengku Mahkota Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Ibni Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah said the two coalitions, having agreed to form the state government, should place the state’s development and the people’s welfare as their priority.

“Now is no longer the time for politics; enough is enough,” Tengku Hassanal said.

“The election has ended and the state government has been formed. Now is the time to work.

“In the process of achieving a developed state, the people no longer want to see you (elected representatives) continuing with politics, looking for faults here and there.

“On the other hand, the people want the elected representatives with positions in the government to bring about change so that Pahang continues to move forward,” the Regent added.

Tengku Hassanal said this at the presentation of instruments of appointment and swearing-in of Jelai assemblyman Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail as Mentri Besar of Pahang at Balairung Seri Istana Abu Bakar here yesterday.

As for the opposition-elected representatives, Tengku Hasanal said they should provide effective checks and balances by doing the job professionally and in a mature manner by giving advice and ideas to improve the state’s administration.

The Regent also advised the elected representatives to be clear of their intentions and not to abuse their positions to become rich, saying that he would do a spot check on them.

“The respect of becoming an elected representative is not because of the title ‘Yang Berhormat’, but for solving the people’s problems.

“As elected representatives, they should work diligently, go down to the villages in their constituencies to always see what needs to be taken care of, and if there are issues that cannot be resolved, let me know.

“I want to remind all quarters that the issues on race and religion should not be politicised.

“Do not sacrifice development and progress for political ideology and interests.

“It has been 65 years since the country achieved its independence; we should be running, instead of crawling .... Do not let immature politics take us backward,” he added.

In his speech, Tengku Hassanal also congratulated Wan Rosdy on his appointment to helm the state for a second term and also to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on his appointment as the 10th Prime Minister.

He hoped there would be close cooperation between the state and federal governments for the development of the state and well-being of the people.

In developing Pahang, he said, efforts made should be in line and consistent with the concept of environmental, social and governance (ESG) and environmental sustainability.

“I do not reject development but it must be done in a controlled and sustainable manner so that we can enjoy the progress with an increase in the state’s revenue, but while preserving our treasures,” he added.

Tengku Hassanal also reminded elected representatives, department heads and district officers to always be prepared to face the monsoon. — Bernama