Ruler of the people’s hearts
NEGRI Sembilan’s Yang diPertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir is a people’s ruler and is widely known for his down-to-earth and unassuming nature.
Never one to shy away from his duties, he is always at ease mixing freely with the people and will not hesitate to stop for a chat whenever possible.
“Tuanku Muhriz always makes time to meet the people. He would mingle with everyone whenever he went to perform prayers at the mosque.
“He has also attended many people-oriented programmes and as far as I know, he has never said no to programmes with the people... the people just adore him,” said Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
Mohamad said Tuanku Muhriz’s “mesra rakyat” concept was similar to that of the previous ruler Tuanku Ja’afar, who was also well-loved by his subjects.
He added that Tuanku Muhriz had also impressed upon him that the state should continue with a balanced development and that the people were always put first.
“Tuanku wants a balanced development to be brought to every corner of the state. He is also happy to note the efforts taken by the government so far such as the social security network, housing for the hardcore poor and the initiatives to reduce poverty,” he said.
Mohamad said Tuanku Muhriz had also told the state government to take advantage of its location just outside the Klang Valley to kickstart development in smaller towns in the state.
He said to achieve this, the state government would develop smaller towns under the 10th Malaysia Plan.
“Satellite towns will be set up in districts so these could complement economic activities in Seremban, Port Dickson, Nilai and Bahau.
“This way, we will be able to take better advantage of us being in the Greater Klang Valley conurbation area,” he said.
Tuanku Muhriz, said Mohamad, also wanted the state government to help create safe townships and ensure that the environment was always protected.
To achieve this, Mohamad said the state decided that all new industries in the future would only be allowed to operate at downstream areas.
“We will allow them to set up operations at places like Tanah Merah, Lukut and areas bordering Sungai Pelek and Sepang in Selangor. This way, we would also be able to use facilities at the Klang ports and the KL International Airport,” he said.
Mohamad said the state government had also upped efforts to improve the public transport system in the state to reduce traf- fic congestion and to ensure those without their own mode of transportation could travel without burning a hole in their pockets.
Under the first phase carried out in 2007, public transportation in Seremban, Nilai and Port Dickson had been improved, with frequent bus services.
Mohamad said the state government wanted to develop new townships to increase the population in Negri Sembilan.
“The population growth rate is slow and we need to develop more areas in the state,” he said.
To achieve this, the state government has turned the west Seremban area, comprising areas of Mantin, Bandar Enstek, Sendayan and Bandar Springhill, into an education valley.
Tuanku Muhriz, being the head of Islam in the state, has also directed the religious authorities to ensure mosques are administered well. The ruler wants matters pertaining to Islam and Malay traditions be given due importance and for the state to become an example to other states.
Mohamad said the state government would also continue to organise programmes to enhance racial unity among the people.
“Malaysians generally have already embraced the 1Malaysia concept introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
“As such, the state government will ensure new townships comprise a multiracial composition and that these new areas have places of worship for its people,” he added.