Integrity, ruler tells administrators
> ‘They must be seen as clean, practise good values and be free from graft’
ALOR STAR: The Sultan of Kedah, Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah yesterday reminded the state’s administrators and administrative machinery not to be involved in corrupt practices, abuse of power and misappropriation.
The sultan said they must not only be seen as clean, but should also practise good values, besides being free of all forms of corruption and nepotism, to enable the general public to have confidence in the state administration’s transparency.
“The administrators and administrative machinery need to do the right thing and in the right manner and ways.”
Sultan Abdul Halim said this at the congratulatory and investiture ceremony in conjunction with the ruler’s 89th birthday celebration at Istana Anak Bukit, here yesterday.
Also gracing the ceremony were the Raja Muda Kedah Tan Sri Tunku Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah, Raja Puan Muda Kedah Tengku Maliha Tengku Ariff and Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah.
The sultan also wished to see the administrative system and policy implementers to be more proactive and not be merely responsive.
“This demands big-hearted administrators who understand deeply the people’s issues and problems. They should not be mere desk officers, but think and act outside the box in tandem with current needs,” he said.
On the current economic situation, Sultan Abdul Halim said he wanted the less fortunate, especially those left behind from mainstream development, be given proper attention.
“On this matter, I urge the mentri besar to effect action to ensure that the state’s economic growth can benefit the people directly and indirectly,” he said.
Tunku Sallehuddin headed a list of 50 recipients of state awards in conjunction with the sultan’s birthday.
Tunku Sallehuddin, the younger brother of the sultan who was proclaimed Raja Muda on Dec 15 last year, was conferred the Darjah Kerabat (DK).
The Raja Puan Muda of Kedah, Tengku Maliha and Kedah Mentri Besar Ahmad Bashah were conferred the Darjah Setia Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’Adzam Shah Yang Amat Dihormati (SHMS) which carries the title “Datuk Seri DiRaja”.
Three members of the royal families were conferred the Darjah Orang Besar Empat.
They were Tunku Laksamana of Kedah Tan Sri Tunku Abdul Hamid Thani Sultan Badlishah (Tunku Bendahara Kedah); Tunku Panglima Besar of Kedah Tan Sri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz Tuanku Abdul Halim (Tunku Temenggong Kedah) and Datuk Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah Tunku Sallehuddin (Tunku Laksamana Kedah). – Bernama