JOHOR BARU: The Regent of Johor Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim has the vision and capability to drive the state’s development, says Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi (pic).
He said this is in line with the aspirations of his father, King-designate Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, in realising Johor’s ambition to become a developed state by 2030.
He said that in a bid to produce quality human capital to benefit local communities, the Regent has always emphasised education at all levels.
“Tunku Ismail places significant emphasis on ensuring that the government works together to form Bangsa Johor (united people of Johor) with a good level of education, quality education that we can be proud of, and a spirit to serve and contribute to this blessed land.
“I am confident that Tunku Ismail’s vision, hopes and aspirations to develop the state are in line with that of the Sultan’s as they should be,” Onn Hafiz told Bernama in an interview at his official residence in Saujana here recently.
Tunku Ismail was appointed the Regent of Johor yesterday as Sultan Ibrahim will be ascending the federal throne as the 17th King of Malaysia on Wednesday.
Sultan Ibrahim will replace Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah whose five-year reign as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong will end tomorrow.
According to the Mentri Besar, Tunku Ismail is an earnest leader who will walk the talk, and not just pay lip service when he sets a goal for the state.
“Just look at (his football club) Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT), not to boast, the standard of JDT is indeed extraordinary.
“They have been champions for 10 consecutive years. All these show the leadership qualities of Tunku Ismail,” he said.
Onn Hafiz said these qualities were also evident when he announced the setting up of the Southern Volunteers’ (SV) team, which comprised thousands of young Bangsa Johor of various backgrounds, united by a common mission to serve the state.
“I began serving under the patronage of Tunku Ismail when I was the state’s tourism, youth and sports committee chairman. At that time, we mobilised SV to increase the vaccination rate of Bangsa Johor during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Johor was initially among the states with the lowest vaccination rate, but within a month, we became the state with the highest rate. The SV, under Tunku Ismail’s patronage, assisted in that effort.
“In addition, the Regent also focuses on developing youth activity centres through the Tunku Mahkota Ismail Youth Centre (TMIYC), which will be built in all 10 districts of the state over five years starting in 2022.
“TMIYC will host various activities for the youth and young adults to promote a healthy lifestyle,” he said.
