Raja Nazrin: Be bold, explore new ideas
Published: May 7, 2009 10:06 AM | Updated: May 7, 2009 10:13 AM
The Regent of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah today advised the state administration machinery to be brave and open in exploring new ideas and innovation in order to optimise productivity and cut costs.
The Regent of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah today advised the state administration machinery to be brave and open in exploring new ideas and innovation in order to optimise productivity and cut costs.
Delivering his royal address amidst a chaotic state assembly sitting, he expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the government's delivery system in Perak through the introduction of several new methods in providing service like payment of quit rent and education loans via Internet banking and at post offices.
Other innovations included using the short-messaging service (SMS), e-mail and checking through the online method status of education loan applications and on the processing of development plans at one-stop-centres of local authorities.
According to Bernama, Raja Nazrin praised the state government for establishing the Perak Economic Council and believed the consultative body made of economic experts, academicians, industry players and representatives of various government agencies would give rise to new ideas in tackling the current economic crisis.
Expressing thanks on the positive effects shown by the two economic stimulus packages introduced by the federal government in the wake of the global economic crisis, he, however, reminded the state government to be alert to the latest developments on it so that economic growth would not be jeopardised.
"The state government must continue to be vigilant in this uncertain economic climate and furthermore, with the influenza A(H1N1) pandemic that has broken out now, the tourism and services sectors are likely to be affected.
"The government will have to continuosly take proactive steps in tackling the present economic crisis and at the same time prepare sound planning to attain the Perak Maju 2015 goal (Perak a developed state by 2015," he said.
Exercise wisdom
In his speech which touched on various economic sectors, the regent among others reminded the state government to exercise wisdom in its approach to stimulate the tourism sector.
"Tourism promotion should be focused on products and not events: and to go even further, management and promotion of tourism products ideally should be left to the private sector while the public sector concentrates on developing infrastructure and play the role of a facilitator," he said.
Raja Nazrin stressed that besides popularising tourism products in Perak, the state government was also making efforts in producing new entreprenuers in the tourism sector and improving the quality of service to the point of being able to meet the expectations of foreign tourists.
Touching on public housing, he said the state government targetted each family in Perak would own a house by 2015.
"Owning a comfortable house is the dream of each family. As such, I would like to remind the planners and implementers to pay attention to design and space, affordability as well as meeting construction deadlines," he said.
He also reminded the state government on its responsibility to eradicate poverty.
"Success, progress and prosperity of a country only has meaning when there are no longer any poor citizens," he said.
Concerned about Mat Rempit
Besides opening opportunities for the poor to join people's land schemes and provision of financial aid, comprehensive poverty eradication strategies were those that focused on improving basic facilities, human capital development of the hardcore poor group and development of cottage industries to help raise their household income in a structured way, he said.
Raja Nazrin also viewed seriously incidents of crime, drug addiction and the Mat Rempit (hell riders) culture which were becoming more prevalent now.
The firm action taken by the authorities in enforcing the laws should be supported and the principle of the rule of law should be held dear, he said.
"I understand the heavy responsibility faced by the police. The public must give their full cooperation and assistance to enable the police to do their jobs effectively.
"The sacrifices made by members of the police and Malaysian Defence Forces in defending the sovereignty of the country and preserve peace and harmony should be appreciated," he added.
Delivering his royal address amidst a chaotic state assembly sitting, he expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the government's delivery system in Perak through the introduction of several new methods in providing service like payment of quit rent and education loans via Internet banking and at post offices.
Other innovations included using the short-messaging service (SMS), e-mail and checking through the online method status of education loan applications and on the processing of development plans at one-stop-centres of local authorities.According to Bernama, Raja Nazrin praised the state government for establishing the Perak Economic Council and believed the consultative body made of economic experts, academicians, industry players and representatives of various government agencies would give rise to new ideas in tackling the current economic crisis.
Expressing thanks on the positive effects shown by the two economic stimulus packages introduced by the federal government in the wake of the global economic crisis, he, however, reminded the state government to be alert to the latest developments on it so that economic growth would not be jeopardised.
"The state government must continue to be vigilant in this uncertain economic climate and furthermore, with the influenza A(H1N1) pandemic that has broken out now, the tourism and services sectors are likely to be affected.
"The government will have to continuosly take proactive steps in tackling the present economic crisis and at the same time prepare sound planning to attain the Perak Maju 2015 goal (Perak a developed state by 2015," he said.
Exercise wisdom
In his speech which touched on various economic sectors, the regent among others reminded the state government to exercise wisdom in its approach to stimulate the tourism sector.
"Tourism promotion should be focused on products and not events: and to go even further, management and promotion of tourism products ideally should be left to the private sector while the public sector concentrates on developing infrastructure and play the role of a facilitator," he said.
Raja Nazrin stressed that besides popularising tourism products in Perak, the state government was also making efforts in producing new entreprenuers in the tourism sector and improving the quality of service to the point of being able to meet the expectations of foreign tourists.
Touching on public housing, he said the state government targetted each family in Perak would own a house by 2015.
"Owning a comfortable house is the dream of each family. As such, I would like to remind the planners and implementers to pay attention to design and space, affordability as well as meeting construction deadlines," he said.
He also reminded the state government on its responsibility to eradicate poverty.
"Success, progress and prosperity of a country only has meaning when there are no longer any poor citizens," he said.
Concerned about Mat Rempit
Besides opening opportunities for the poor to join people's land schemes and provision of financial aid, comprehensive poverty eradication strategies were those that focused on improving basic facilities, human capital development of the hardcore poor group and development of cottage industries to help raise their household income in a structured way, he said.
Raja Nazrin also viewed seriously incidents of crime, drug addiction and the Mat Rempit (hell riders) culture which were becoming more prevalent now.
The firm action taken by the authorities in enforcing the laws should be supported and the principle of the rule of law should be held dear, he said.
"I understand the heavy responsibility faced by the police. The public must give their full cooperation and assistance to enable the police to do their jobs effectively.
"The sacrifices made by members of the police and Malaysian Defence Forces in defending the sovereignty of the country and preserve peace and harmony should be appreciated," he added.
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