MELAKA: The installation of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim as the 17th King of Malaysia is very meaningful for Melaka as it will usher in prosperity and development, says Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh (pic).
“The state will witness many positive developments and new areas of growth through the valuable input and guidance of His Majesty in bringing paradigm changes to the state,” the Melaka Chief Minister said in an interview yesterday.
Ab Rauf said Sultan Ibrahim’s drive to see more development will be beneficial for the state as His Majesty is well-known as a people-friendly Ruler who is very concerned about the people’s issues, regardless of race and religion.
“His Majesty has always addressed the difficulties facing the people and spoken up on issues concerning the rakyat.
“The King’s love and care for his subjects have touched our hearts,” Ab Rauf said.
Melakans, he added, were excited when Sultan Ibrahim visited the state and mingled with the rakyat, demonstrating His Majesty’s readiness to fulfil the duties for the nation and the people.
“I am also inspired by Sultan Ibrahim’s qualities in terms of leadership and preparedness to help the people as a rakyat-oriented Ruler,” he said.
Ab Rauf said His Majesty’s visit to the state last month was also greeted with excitement and appreciation, when the Ruler attended a tea reception at Dataran Pengkalan Rama alongside Visit Melaka 2024 (TMM2024) ambassador Fan Bing Bing.
Ab Rauf said close to 12,000 guests attended the event, including 500 selected “asnaf” (underprivileged) from Melaka Tengah who are beneficiaries of the Sultan Ibrahim Johor Foundation.
Ab Rauf said Sultan Ibrahim also spent nearly an hour mingling with guests before departing for a tour of the iconic Stadthuys Building in Banda Hilir, here.
The King, he said, played a pivotal role in turning the Classic Royal Johor Automotive Exhibition at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) in Ayer Keroh into a successful event.
He added that Sultan Ibrahim had also accepted his invitation to grace the Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house at Villa D’Acqua in Masjid Tanah in May.
Ab Rauf Yusoh hosted the open house at his home, and about 30,000 people attended.
