Ruler wants new Perak Govt to serve all fairly - The Star

KUALA KANGSAR: April 20 2008

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 was 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 yesterday.

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 the importance of the state and the people should take precedence over politics.

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

The royal institution, according to Sultan Azlan Shah, should not be made an instrument to justify what is not the norm.

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

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said that while the new state government would continue with the agenda of developing the state, a strategic plan based on the principles of integrity, fairness, transparency and welfare would be drawn up.

“The state government will place emphasis on programmes that have the people’s interest,” he said in his allegiance and congratulatory speech to mark Sultan Azlan Shah’s birthday celebration.

Nizar added that the state would work closely with the Federal Government.