Day: November 13, 2021

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 — The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah today attended the investiture ceremony in conjunction with his official birthday celebration.

Also present was the Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.

The arrival of Their Majesties at Istana Negara was received by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and his wife Datin Seri Muhaini Zainal Abidin.

In conjunction with the official birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, 1,207 individuals were conferred the 2021 Federal orders, decorations and medals.

Of the total, 44 individuals will receive their awards today.

This is the second year that saw the ceremony held under the new normal in compliance with tight standard operation procedure (SOP) following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Guests present are required to wear face masks, screen their body temperature and scan MySejahtera QR code at Istana Negara security post.

Personnel on duty at Istana Negara also put on face masks and seats at Balairong Seri were arranged based on physical distancing as stipulated by Health Ministry.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

SIBU, Nov 13 — The Sarawak government has never compromised on matters pertaining to environment even though various development activities, including forest clearing for agriculture, are being carried out on this Land of the Hornbills.

Assistant Minister of Urban Development, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh said despite criticisms made against Sarawak by nature lovers and some foreign countries for allegedly having a high deforestation rate, the state, which is under the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government, managed to preserve 63 per cent of its land as forest area.

“We are still lagging in development, but will not pursue it at the expense of the environment. That is why the three pillars, namely economic development, social inclusivity and environmental sustainability have to be balanced,” he told Bernama.

He said the state land-use policy was clear where out of 12.4 million hectares of forest areas in Sarawak, six million hectares were reserved for permanent forests, one million hectares were for Totally Protected Areas (TPA), and four million hectares for agriculture.

Of the four million hectares, he said, two million hectares were targeted for oil palm and the rest for other crops, such as pineapple, rubber, sago and black pepper.

So, Sarawak is clear on which areas need to be explored efficiently, he added

“In this context, we already have a good approach compared to any of the so-called developed countries having a larger area for agriculture and forest cover area of less than 10 percent,” he said.

He said based on the state’s land use policy, Sarawak could still open up forest areas for agricultural purposes, but the state would not reduce its forest area to less than 57 per cent.

“So from 63 percent, we have a balance of six per cent for us to plant oil palm and other crops,” said the incumbent Kuala Rajang Assemblyman.

Not only that, Sarawak is also the largest contributor to the country’s total forest area, which is 42 per cent or 7.7 million hectares of the whole of Malaysia, he said and cited the country’s commitment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

“Malaysia’s commitment to UNFCCC stipulates that 50 per cent of our land area will be under forest cover, where Sarawak is a major contributor,” he added.

Len Talif said to conserve and preserve forests, the approach used by the state government now was to reduce tree felling in natural forests, apart from enhancing industrial plantation forests for the timber industry.

“It means we don’t need a large area for the timber industry now where one million hectares will be dedicated to planting fast-growing timber which can help supply raw materials for our timber industry,” he said.

Sarawak is currently leading the 100 Million Tree Planting Campaign under the Greening Malaysia programme with a total of 6,791,146 trees planted since its launch earlier this year. A total of 10.4 million trees have been planted last year.

Under the GPS administration, Sarawak has gained international recognition for its efforts to protect and preserve flora and fauna and biodiversity resources recognised under the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Convention on Wetlands of International Importance and the East Asian Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP).

The state government also collaborates with various organisations and institutions in and outside the country to strengthen the protection and preservation of the environment and wildlife, among them are Heart of Borneo, Research for Intensified Management of Bio-Rich Areas of Sarawak (RIMBA Sarawak), Global Environment Facility. (GEF) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 — Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al- Mustafa Billah Shah today reminded the people that the relaxation of the National Recovery Plan (PPN) they now enjoyed can be taken away if they continue to be complacent.

His Majesty said all parties should continue to play their role to rid the country completely of COVID-19 and advised the people to be patient and take care of their health and abide by the rules set by the government in an effort to curb the spread of the pandemic.

“ I believe that after every storm there’s calm and after the rain there’s a rainbow,” said Al-Sultan Abdullah at His Majesty’s 2021 official birthday celebration at Istana Negara here, today.

Also present was Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.

At the ceremony, a total of 44 out of 1,207 people received the federal awards and medals that were conferred to them in conjunction with His Majesty’s birthday celebration on June 7.

However, no investiture ceremony was held then due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On today’s celebration, His Majesty said it was supposed to take place last July, but could not be held then due to the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

“ Alhamdulillah, the COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country is now improving The country is moving towards the final phase of PPN which gives various relaxations to my people,” said Al-Sultan Abdullah.

The PPN, which includes four phases, was announced on June 15 by then Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 — Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al- Mustafa Billah Shah said that the country would continue to be competitive and achieve greater heights if the concept of an inclusive and fair Malaysian Family is combined with the spirit of a family.

His Majesty said the spirit of the Malaysian Family could also foster unity in a country like Malaysia, which is diverse.

“The Malaysian Family Initiative introduced by the government recently attracted my attention. True to the saying, we are all like a family,”said Al-Sultan Abdullah at His Majesty’s 2021 official birthday celebration at Istana Negara here, today. I

Al-Sultan Abdullah said implementation of programmes under the Malaysian Family concept must be scrutinised, refined and improved from time to time.

“The views and suggestions of my subjects should also be accepted by the implementing agencies with an open heart, ”said His Majesty.

Also present was Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s official birthday was celebrated last June 7, but no celebration was held then following the spread of COVID-19.

The idea of a Malaysian Family based on the values of inclusion, togetherness and gratitude was introduced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob during his inaugural speech after his appointment as the ninth Prime Minister and formation of a new government last August.

Al-Sultan Abdullah also welcomed the 2022 Budget, themed “Keluarga Malaysia; Makmur Sejahtera” (A Prosperous Malaysian Family) which was tabled by Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz last Oct 29

His Majesty also expressed his appreciation for the 12th Malaysia Plan that was passed without amendment via a voice vote.

“My hope is that the government’s budget allocation will be carefully managed in order to give optimum impact to the country, especially in efforts to eradicate poverty and improve the socio-economy and living standards of my subjects,” said Al-Sultan Abdullah.

His Majesty also said the country continued to record economic growth at 7.1 percent in the first half of 2021, indicating that Malaysia is on the right track in the phase of economic recovery.

“This good performance must continue. At the same time, the government should continue to explore new innovative strategies and design new growth areas to achieve the goals of sustainable development, “ His Majesty added.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong also decreed for the government to formulate a strategy and a more effective approach to address the issue on losses as stated in the Auditor-General’s Report 2020 that was released recently.

“The government needs to urgently draw up more effective strategies and approaches to address it so it will not happen again,” added His Majesty.

Al-Sultan Abdullah also expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Malay rulers for the trust and support given to His Majesty as the 16th Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

His Majesty also expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister, government, members of the administration, civil servants, members of the security forces, the private sector and non -governmental organisations ,as well as the people who work hard in their respective ways in dignifying the country.

“I and the Raja Permaisuri Agong thank all the people for their congratulatory messages and prayers in conjunction with my official birthday, “ said Al-Sultan Abdullah, who also prayed that Malaysia would continue to be peaceful, prosperous and protected against disasters and epidemics in particular COVID-19.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 — The focus of the government to curb the spread of COVID-19 pandemic is beginning to see its benefits as a result of the cooperation of all parties as well as the implementation of effective strategies, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

He said the National COVID-19 Immunisation Programme (PICK) to date has succeeded in dispensing vaccines to more than 95 per cent of the adult population and more than 66 per cent of the adolescent population as at Nov 2, which is a game changer and catalyst to revive the economy with the opening of all economic and social sectors including interstate movements.

Apart from that, he said the number of daily COVID-19 infections has also been successfully brought down to the relief of the people and frontliners.

“Generally, from the psychology aspect, the people are more positive after being able to restart their daily lives.

“Nonetheless, the government will continue to monitor the current pandemic development and is prepared to introduce certain measures to protect the people and the country’s economy,” he said when speaking at the 2021 Official Birthday Celebration Ceremony of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at Istana Negara here today.

Ismail Sabri also expressed his deep appreciation of the sacrifice of frontliners as well as the support of all strata of society in assisting the government to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The government sympathises and expresses its condolences to all who lost family members in the pandemic. Indeed it is saddening over the loss of loved ones,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the government would ensure the welfare and well-being of the people would be the top priority regardless of race, or religion and for this purpose, the government is introducing various initiatives including the Malaysian Family concept.

He said the Malaysian Family concept as an approach of the country’s administration is to call on all the people to join hands in bringing the country out of the COVID-19 pandemic especially to rehabilitate the economy.

According to him. the concept has received positive feedback and acceptance from the people and it would be the new philosophy in the administration of the country.

“In this regard, I would like to express my gratitude to Allah SWT for the success of the Confidence-and-Supply Agreement (CSA) signed between the government and the opposition. All focus is now on mutual cooperation to develop the country so as to bring the nation out of the economic crisis and for public health.

“Alhamdulillah, it is bearing fruits with the proceeding in Parliament going on smoothly and constructively which is the manifestation of the Malaysian Family consensus as well as democratic deliberations as called by Your Majesty,” he said.

Apart from that, Ismail Sabri said since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country, eight assistance and economic stimulation packages were launched, aimed at boosting economic growth and assisting entrepreneurs to revive their business.

He said an initiative indicator of the success of these packages was seen when the country’s economic growth grew 7.1 per cent in the first half of 2021.

“The government is confident of meeting the projected economic growth of between three to four per cent this year and growth between 5.5 to 6.5 per cent in the following year is centred on strong economic growth apart from the success in controlling the pandemic effectively via the implementation of the vaccination programme as well as the resilience of world trade and economic prospects,” he said.

The Prime Minister said the economic rehabilitation mission is driven by the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) as well as several other initiatives implemented including trade promotion missions.

In this regard, Ismail Sabri said the government would ensure all initiatives under Budget 2022 as tabled by Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz on October 29 would be monitored closely to ensure its implementation would benefit every Malaysian Family.

He said the government is aware the achievement of good economic performance would not be accepted if issues such as weak governance, leakages, misappropriation as well as abuse of power are still prevalent including issues reported in the Auditor General’s Report Year 2020 which clearly shows that certain reform efforts need to be done.

Therefore, he said the government would be stepping up firmer and more efficient enforcement to ensure the same issues did not arise apart from renewing procedures and high-performance working ethics.

“Your Majesty’s government machinery will implement the best resolutions to ensure every sen spent gives better economic returns to the people and nation.

“The Cabinet is also working on harnessing ideas and efforts to ensure the achievement of the government. InsyaAllah, I hope to table the government’s 100 Day Achievements when the time comes,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency