Saturday, April 19, 2008

Fulfil promises to the people, Perak Sultan tells state govt - The Star

KUALA KANGSAR: April 19, 2008 by Sylvia Looi

The Sultan of Perak Sultan Azlan Shah wants the new Pakatan Rakyat state government to fulfil all its promises to the people.

He said the time for campaigning was over and now is the time to start work.

"All resources should now be put into developing the state, especially in improving infrastructure, attracting investment, providing housing for the poor, eradicating poverty and creating job opportunities," he said on Saturday.

Speaking at the investiture ceremony to mark his 80th birthday at the Balairong Seri in Istana Iskandariah here, Sultan Azlan Shah noted that every citizen, regardless of religion, race, sex or political inclination, should be treated fairly.

He also said that the importance of the state and the people should take precedence above politics.

Although the monarchy would act based on the advice of the head of government, the monarch should not agree if the advice given did not reflect fairness, he said.

"Based on constitutional monarchy, the role of royalty is to give advice and views, to encourage and to remind," he said, adding that when giving their approval, a ruler should use their wisdom.

Earlier in his speech, the Regent of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah said a pre-requisite to political stability in the country was to unite the people and do away with negative thoughts among the various races.

"Malaysia must not allow discrimination to take place nor racism to take root," he said.

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