SULTAN MIZAN: WORK WITH FEDERAL GOVT
Terengganu govt must be comprehensive in managing finances, says ruler
SULTAN Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu yesterday called on the state government to take a comprehensive approach in managing the state’s finances, including strengthening cooperation with the federal government.
His Royal Highness said the state government needed to formulate comprehensive short-, medium- and long-term strategies with federal departments and agencies in the state.
“This cooperation encompasses the planning of high-impact projects under the 12th Malaysia Plan, which will end in 2025.
“The planning should be continued under the 13th Malaysia Plan, which starts in 2026.
“Careful planning and focus on this matter will have a direct impact on the welfare of our people,” he said.
Sultan Mizan said this in the royal address to open the Second Term of the State Legislative Assembly her.
Yang Dipertuan Muda Terengganu Tengku Muhammad Ismail Sultan Mizan and Tengku
Muhammad Muaz Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin were in attendance.
Sultan Mizan expressed gratitude for the sustainable management of the state’s fisheries through the Agricultural Strategy Plan 2019 to 2023.
He said the state recorded a 39 per cent increase in marine fish landings.
Sultan Mizan said all programmes, including the development of artificial reefs in Terengganu waters, should be strengthened through cooperation with the federal government.
The ruler expressed concern about the influx of livestock from foreign countries, such as through smuggling, as well as the lack of disease-free certification by the producing state or country,
which could have adverse effects on local breeders.
“The high demand for unchecked livestock has a direct impact on food safety for the people.
“Continuous enforcement, whether at marine or land borders, needs to be intensified to ensure that issues of marine resource encroachment and livestock smuggling are under control,” he said.
Sultan Mizan said non-radioactive rare earth elements (NRREE) were a new industry.
He said the Department of Minerals and Geoscience found that 7.2 million tonnes of Malaysia’s 15.2 million tonnes of NR-REE deposits were in Terengganu. His Royal Highness said the state government must determine the best methods for NRREE mining, ensuring that the value chain, including midstream and downstream industries, was established in Terengganu, thus becoming the country’s primary producing and processing hub.
Sultan Mizan congratulated national cyclists Datuk Azizulhasni Awang and Nur Aisyah Mohamad Zubir, both from Terengganu, for qualifying for the Paris Olympic Games.
The sultan prayed that Terengganu would again emerge champion of the Malaysia Games slated for August in Sarawak.