T’ganu State Legislative Assembly: SPEECH FROM THE THRONE - Eradicate poverty, says regent

Pix: Tengku Sri Panglima Raja Tengku Baderulzaman Sultan Mahmud inspecting the guard of honour mounted by the Federal Reserve Unit’s 105-member Sixth Battalion at the opening of the state assembly yesterday.
KUALA TERENGGANU: The head of the Regency Advisory Council opened the state assembly yesterday with a call for the government to continue serving the best interest of the people.
"The government must improve the people's quality of life, help improve the living standards of those in the low-income bracket and eradicate hardcore poverty.

"It should also look at human capital development programmes and check the social economic imbalance between each district," said Tengku Sri Panglima Raja Tengku Baderulzaman Sultan Mahmud.

"Attention must also be given to create an innovative society, improve productivity levels and competitiveness in every sector."

He said the results of the recent general election delivered a clear message of the people's desire for change and transparency in the implementation of policies.

"Leaders and the government chosen by the people must fulfill their responsibility fairly and honestly."

Tengku Baderulzaman commented that the ongoing projects implemented under the state development master plan (2004-2008) were on the right track towards creating a sense of well-being and prosperity for the people.

However, he urged the government to diversify the economy, especially in the tourism, agriculture and services sectors to sustain economic growth.

He added that last year, the federal government had allocated RM7.2 billion for Terengganu under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, while the state allocated RM4.1 billion in the same period.
With such large allocations, he said, it was important for co-operation between the state and federal governments. This was to ensure the effectiveness of the agencies so that the funds spent benefited the rakyat.

Tengku Baderulzaman also said the government should focus on reducing poverty to a lower level from the 6.5 per cent last year and to completely eradicate hardcore poverty by 2010.
"I want the delivery, supervision and co-ordination of poverty eradication programmes among and between agencies to meet the objective."

However, he also urged the people to play their part in ensuring a bright future for the state. "The people must be instilled with the culture of giving and creating, not asking. The subsidy mentality must be removed," he added. "I also urge the people to revive the 'muhibah' spirit and respect one another irrespective of race. This has been our foundation for peace and development."

source: nstonline

Update May 8, 2008
TERENGGANU RESTORES SULTAN'S POWER TO APPOINT ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS OFFICERS KUALA TERENGGANU, May 8 (Bernama) -- The Terengganu State Legislative Assembly today unanimously approved the Islamic Religious Affairs Administration Enactment (Terengganu) (Amendment) 2008 Bill which hands back to the sultan the absolute power to select and appoint members of the Terengganu Islamic Affairs and Malay Customs Council. Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said said the jurisdiction to appoint members of the council had been with the menteri besar under the Islamic Religious Affairs Administration Enactment (Terengganu) 2001. "The amendment only hands back the power to the original authority, and I do not see any major implication arising out of this move. We are more at ease with the current scenario because we do not want any matter to be politicised," he said when approached after the adjournment of the assembly. Section 8 of the enactment had been amended to reflect that the council should comprise a president, a deputy president, a mufti and not more than 14 other members appointed by the sultan at his discretion. Section 11 had been amended to give absolute power to the sultan to revoke the appointment of any member of the council while Section 13 had been amended arising from the amendment to Section 8. -- BERNAMA ERE ERE MGN