KUANTAN: Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah has stressed that every inch of the state’s land must be protected from illegal encroachment and unlawful occupation.
The Ruler said that where the sovereignty of Pahang’s land and the dignity of the state were concerned, the law must be upheld without fear, favour or compromise.
“When the law is selectively enforced, that is when justice begins to lose its meaning. And when justice collapses, the dignity of a state collapses with it,” His Royal Highness said, Bernama reported.
The Ruler said this at the investiture ceremony held in conjunction with His Royal Highness’ 67th birthday celebration at Istana Abdulaziz here yesterday.
Also present were Tengku Ampuan of Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah and Tengku Mahkota of Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah.
Sultan Abdullah also urged the public not to be easily influenced by information that goes viral or by narratives deliberately crafted to stir sentiment.
“More regrettable is that certain parties pretend to champion the people’s cause when in reality, they are only worsening the situation by encouraging illegal land clearing and taking advantage of the confusion.
“Some hide behind the banner of organisations, others shelter under political platforms, while there are also those who use their positions and influence to interfere in enforcement matters,” the Ruler said.
“Anyone who incites the people to break the law, shields encroachers, spreads misleading information or deliberately inflames the situation for vested interests must be investigated and appropriate action taken in accordance with the law.”
Sultan Abdullah also said that over 1.59 million hectares, or 44% of Pahang’s land area, remained gazetted as permanent forest reserves, with additional areas also gazetted to strengthen conservation efforts.
“Pahang has made a significant sacrifice by choosing to preserve vast forest areas for the benefit of the nation and future generations.
“As such, I am of the view that these conservation efforts should continue to receive fairer support from the Federal Government through the ecological fiscal transfer mechanism, including appropriate financial allocations,” the Ruler said.
At the ceremony, the Sultan also announced the appointment of Pahang investment, industrial development, science, technology and innovation committee chairman Datuk Mohammad Nizar Mohammad Najib as the new Orang Kaya Indera Shahbandar Pahang.
