31-03-2004: Sultan wants Kelantan to cooperate more with Federal Govt

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ARKIB : 31/03/2004

Sultan wants Kelantan to cooperate more with Federal Govt

SULTAN of Kelantan Tuanku Ismail Petra being welcomed by Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat at Padang Merdeka where his royal highness inspects the guard of honour in conjunction with his birthday in Kota Bharu, March 30. - Bernamapix.

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KOTA BHARU March 30 - The Sultan of Kelantan Tuesday urged the state Pas government to have more meaningful cooperation with the Federal Government in the interest of the people.

The people's interests should override all other interests, he said at an investiture on the occasion of his 54th birthday at Istana Balai Besar here.

There should be closer bilateral cooperation particularly in providing more infrastructure facilities in the state, he said.

"Economic growth is closely linked to infrastructure facilities and without such basic facilities, the economy will not expand well," he said.

The Sultan honoured 426 people with medals and honours on the occasion of his birthday. Of the total, 39 received awards which carried the title "Datuk" at Tuesday morning's investiture.

They included the Commander-in-Chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces General Tan Sri Mohd Zahidi Zainuddin, former Information Minister Tan Sri Khalil Yaakob and Bernama Chairman Datuk Mohd Annuar Zaini.

The Sultan Kelantan expressed the hope that the Federal Government would extend the runway of the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Pengkalan Chepa, to enable the airport to expand its domestic and international operations.

He also hoped the Federal Government would set up a university in Kelantan to keep up with the state's development.

Expressing his delight over the expansion of educational facilities, the Sultan urged all groups including parents and teachers to pool their resources to check the increasingly serious erosion of student discipline.

The Ruler also wanted the state government to step up efforts to increase the people's income as part of the poverty eradication agenda.

Speaking at the function, Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said the people in Kelantan aspired for a more Islam-based administration. He also pledged to ensure peace and prosperity for the state.

The Raja Perempuan of Kelantan Tengku Anis Tengku Abdul Hamid and the Tengku Mahkota of Kelantan, Tengku Muhammad Faris Petra were also present.

SOURCE (Sumber): Utusan Malaysia (Home News): 31-03-2004