by BERNAMA/ pic by MUHD AMIN NAHARUL

YANG di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah yesterday reminded all Malaysians not to play up sensitive issues in the interests of any party.

His Majesty said every citizen has been promised rights and freedoms in accordance with the Federal Constitution, but that freedom must not go beyond the values that are fundamental to national unity.

His Majesty together with Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah lauds all efforts taken by the govt in facing the increasingly challenging economic and geopolitical environment. (pic by BERNAMA)

“So as in politics, there must be a line and limit that should not be crossed. If political polemics were left prolonged, sooner or later it will start taking its toll on the people.

“Believe me, the unity, peace and harmony that have been built over these 62 years, if we ever lose it, will be very difficult to get back. My advice is, let bygones be bygones, forgive and forget past disputes so that the broken relationship can be fixed and restored,” His Majesty said.

The King said this when gracing the investiture ceremony of federal awards and honours held in conjunction with the official birthday of Yang di-Pertuan Agong at the Istana Negara in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

His Majesty also lauded all efforts taken by the government in facing the increasingly challenging economic and geopolitical environment and welcomed various other measures to be taken by the government to strengthen the country’s economy and finances, while addressing the cost of living and eradicating poverty.

“In this regard, the government should always strive to improve the services provided to the people.

“I hope that those in need, such as the poor, persons with disabilities and the B40 (bottom 40) income group, be given equal attention and assistance so that they are not left out of the mainstream development,” Sultan Abdullah said.

Apart from that, the development and practice of good and noble values in every aspect of life should also be the responsibility of the government and all Malaysians, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong said.

In an effort to build a society of integrity, Sultan Abdullah said the younger generation needs to be equipped with knowledge and developed with a strong sense of identity.

As such, the King called for programmes that could inculcate good and noble values as well as develop a strong sense of identity and spirit of patriotism be organised nationwide.

“Through this approach, I am confident that we can build a society of integrity and a nation with a strong sense of identity and patriotism,” His Majesty said.

At the ceremony, Sultan Abdullah also expressed gratitude to the Malay rulers for their trust and support for His Majesty as the 16th Yang diPertuan Agong.

His Majesty also expressed thanks to the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Cabinet members, civil servants and security forces personnel who had been loyal in discharging their duties, and the staff of Istana Negara for the services rendered to His Majesty in performing his duties as the head of state.

Meanwhile, Dr Mahathir said the government is committed to rehabilitating the country and liberating it from corruption and abuse of power. He said this was being done by strengthening the country’s administration based on the rule of law principle and separation of powers as enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

“I hope the country will be fully liberated from all forms of corruption so that a New Malaysia can be further developed, more than ever before,” he said this in his congratulatory speech at the ceremony.

Dr Mahathir said the government would always respect and defend the sovereignty of the institution of constitutional monarchy, the position of Islam as federal religion, special privileges of the Malays and Bumiputeras in Sabah and Sarawak, as well as the rights of other races as stated in the Federal Constitution.

The government is aware of the economic uncertainty and the increasingly challenging global geopolitical system, including the many barriers to free trade, as well as global currency instability, which could affect the country, he added. — Bernama