COMMITTED TO ECONOMY, TRANSFORMATION
The following is the royal address by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V at the first meeting of the sixth session of the 13th Parliament
BISMILLAAHIR Rahmaanir Rahiim Alhamdulillahi Rabbil ‘Alamin Wassolaatu Wassalaamu ‘Ala Asyrafil Anbiyaai Wal Mursaliin Wa’ala Aalihi Wa Sohbihi Ajma’iin.
Assalamualaikum Warahmatullaahi Wabarakaatuh and greetings.
President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, members of the Senate and members of the House of Representatives.
Alhamdulillah.
We express our utmost gratitude to Allah the Almighty for it is with His munificence, and with His leave, we are gathered here today for the opening ceremony of the sixth session of the 13th Parliament.
Honourable members,
We are thankful that despite uncertainties in the global economy, the government remains focused and committed to the implementation of the fiscal transformation policies and prudent management of the country’s economy. The government’s financial position is expected to be stronger contributed by higher revenue, moderate growth in expenditure and gradual reduction in fiscal deficit. International reserves remain strong, while the Federal Government’s debt is under control and manageable.
Malaysia’s external trade is expected to be resilient in tandem with increasing global trading activities. Malaysia remains one of the preferred investment destinations and is expected to attract higher investments in 2018. We hope that this positive momentum
The country must intensify its efforts to chart a better future as maintaining success is more difficult than achieving it. Hence, we urge that all programmes and projects to be implemented effectively taking into account challenges facing the country.
will be sustained.
The country must intensify its efforts to chart a better future as maintaining success is more difficult than achieving it. Hence, we urge that all programmes and projects to be implemented effectively taking into account challenges facing the country.
We commend the continuous measures taken in addressing issues that are close to the hearts and minds of the people especially those pertaining to the cost of living. We believe that more programmes will be introduced with the establishment of the National Action Council on Cost of Living to ease the burden of the people.
Our government will continue to provide allocation for more people-centric projects and programmes to ensure the wellbeing of the people. Furthermore, targeted subsidies and assistance for the needy will be continued. Honourable members,
Unity is the essence of peace, wellbeing of the people and stability of the nation. Therefore, we hope that appreciation of the nation’s historical legacy and mastery of the national language will be strengthened as the basis of the Malaysian identity.
We welcome the Malaysia Syariah Index score improvement which embodies the government’s commitment towards an administration that is based on the provision in the Federal Constitution that Islam is the religion of the Federation. At the same time, the value of moderation which Malaysia champions received international acceptance when the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution aimed at curbing the threat of extremism and radicalisation.
Our government will continue the implementation of the transformation programme to elevate the quality of life for the people in the rural areas. These include Sabah, Sarawak, Felda settlers, Risda smallholders, Felcra participants, traditional villagers, the Orang Asli as well as Bumiputera minorities in Sabah and Sarawak. Skills training and entrepreneurship programmes that have succeeded in increasing the income of the target groups will be further intensified.
We are pleased with the government’s efforts to improve the wellbeing of the urban commu-