People Should Be Empowered, Dynamic - Malaysian King

KUALA LUMPUR, April 11 (Bernama) -- The people should be empowered and dynamic to ensure the country achieve the developed nation status by 2020, said Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah. He said they should also equip themselves with knowledge and skills besides adopting good conduct, high moral values and ethics. Speaking at his installation as the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong at Istana Negara (National Palace) here Wednesday, Tuanku Abdul Halim said the country would not be developed if the people were not knowledgeable while the progress would not be significant if positive values were ignored by the people. The historic ceremony marked the second time Tuanku Abdul Halim, 84, was crowned as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong after he ascended to the throne as the Fifth Yang di-Pertuan Agong in 1970 at the age of 42. It was also the first time the coronation of the new Yang di-Pertuan Agong took place at the majestic new Istana Negara in Jalan Duta. The King said no country in the world could succeed and create history by depending solely on the government's initiatives without the people giving their support and playing their role. "So, let us become righteous as demanded by our religion, a person of knowledge and nobility while being aware of and living up to obligations to the country," he said. Tuanku Abdul Halim said the people should not only strive turn Malaysia into a developed nation by 2020, but must also endeavour to ensure that the country would remain a developed nation and respected by others. "The competition today's world is very stiff and challenging. So, the people should be prepared to shoulder their responsibilities and discharge their duties to the best of their ability," he said. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong also called on the people to stay united and work closely with the government to ensure continuous progress, peace and harmony in the country. "Buttress yourselves and shoulder your responsibility as citizens who genuinely love the country. Indeed, Malaysia is our right, symbol of our dignity and sovereignty. For this, we must shape and mould the future of our nation," he said. "Material gains alone are not enough to make us a strong nation. We need to safeguard and continue to practise the values of a courteous society. "Physical development counterbalanced by the values of courteous living will elevate our civilisation, religion and nation to a higher level. I urge all Malaysians to uphold our conduct and the Eastern values which have long been practised by us," he said. On the country's leadership and his installation as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for the second time, he said: "Indeed, after more than four decades, by God's will, my previous and present reigns, I was fortunate to be served by two prime ministers, who are connected by blood. "Firstly, during the administration of the late Abdul Razak. And now, when the government is under the leadership of his son, Najib Razak," he added. Tuanku Abdul Halim said the people should be grateful for the country's continuous prosperity as a result of capable, competent and visionary leadership. "We are also blessed as the people of various races, religions and backgrounds are living in peace and harmony," he said. The King said he was also grateful that he could witness the country's development strides as they made him aware of how lucky Malaysia and its people were for being blessed with successes amid political and economic quagmire elsewhere. "The prosperity enjoyed does not come out of thin air. It was well planned, thought out and implemented by a hardworking government from the previous to the present leadership," he said. Tuanku Abdul Halim said the main philosophy of the government based on the 1Malaysia's principle, 'People First, Performance Now' was suitable at this challenging time as to manage a nation as complex as Malaysia needed the cooperation of all parties. "What is most important, there should be understanding at every level and among communities," he said. -- BERNAMA