MPs heap praises on King’s address

KUALA LUMPUR: The address by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V when opening of the first meeting of the first term of the 14th Parliament received praise and positive feedback from Members of Parliament (MPs) and new cabinet ministers for touching on salient issues.

Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Salahuddin Ayub said that His Majesty’s speech was in line with the aspirations of the Pakatan Harapan government.

The Pulai MP said that the King’s point on integrity in governance was certainly a priority and coincided with the new politics brought by the current administration.

“If integrity is not enforced, this government will not last long because the people want integrity to be back in the government and with the administration upholding integrity, I will also uphold it,” he said.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong had touched on the new government’s efforts in exposing the country’s real financial position, adding that this showed that he was deeply concerned about the matter.

The King’s emphasis on the true state of the nation’s finances and the government’s transparency and disclosure policy would only attract the confidence of foreign investors, he added.

The Seremban MP also supported Sultan Muhammad V on the importance of maintaining racial harmony to achieve a better future and for describing the diversity of races and religions in the country as a strength that needed to be further enhanced. Meanwhile, Youth and Sports Minister and Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman also noted that Sultan Muhammad V had mentioned that political parties should reach a consensus in promoting national development.

“This means that political parties also need to work together to achieve that objective. The time for politicking is over, the real time for work has begun,” he said, adding that there was a need to find a “meeting point” with other political parties so they could collectively develop the nation.

Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad Region said the government must take heed of His Majesty’s advice on reducing the people’s burden and curbing social problems.

The Shah Alam MP said while there may be challenges for the new government in carrying out its tasks, they must be addressed to the best of its abilities.