Sultan Muhammad V (left) greeted by Najib at Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur. At second right is Ahmad Zahid. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR: Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V urged that the administrative excellence in the federal territories (FT) be maintained to ensure the people’s wellbeing, especially in an uncertain global economic climate.
The king said to help reduce the burden of the people, particularly the low-income group, hopefully the government could find new, innovative ways in overcoming the situation.
“I hope the administrative excellence will ensure continued wellbeing, prosperity and joy for my subjects in the federal territories.”
His Majesty said this at an investiture ceremony held in conjunction with the Federal Territories Day 2017 celebration at Istana Negara, here, yesterday.
Also present were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor.
Federal Territories Day is celebrated to commemorate the declaration of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan as federal territories, and yesterday is the 13th celebration.
The agong said many new initiatives had been and were being undertaken by the FT Ministry, such as the use of biodegradable products to make environmental preservation a culture, reducing green house gas emissions, drawing up of the Kuala Lumpur Structure Plan, and water resources management.
His Majesty said a number of task force had also been formed such as for housing, cleanliness, traffic and combating illegal activities, as well as a special task force to tackle price hikes of goods in Labuan.
“I understand that in Labuan, many industries have the protential to be developed, including the tourism, shipping, fisheries and agriculture industries, as well as commercial centres.
“I urge that such efforts and activities be continued and stepped up for the wellbeing of the people,” the King said.
His Majesty also stressed the importance of public servants, as the backbone of the government, to have integrity in carrying out their tasks to ensure that all the government plans and policies could be implemented well.
“Bureaucratic red tape should be reduced for more efficient and effective government service delivery,” the King said.
At the investiture ceremony, 375 people received federal awards and medals, including the late former Deputy Prime Minister Tun Abdul Ghafar Baba, who received the Darjah Seri Utama Mahkota Wilayah (SUMW) which carries the title ‘Datuk Seri Utama’. He was represented by his son, Datuk Tamrin Abdul Ghafar.
The king advised the award recipients to uphold integrity and protect their image and good name so as to preserve the honour and dignity of the awards and titles. — Bernama