SULTAN of Terengganu, His Royal Highness Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, has called on the state government to strengthen its relationship with the Federal Government to ensure the effective implementation of national development policies and initiatives.
His Majesty emphasised that such cooperation is vital to enhancing public well-being and driving Terengganu’s economic growth.
Delivering the royal address at the opening of the third term of the 15th Terengganu State Legislative Assembly at Wisma Darul Iman, Sultan Mizan praised the Federal Government for approving RM13.56 billion for 408 development projects under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP).
“These projects bring wide-ranging benefits to the people of Terengganu, from improved infrastructure to a stronger, more competitive local community,” Bernama cited His Majesty saying today.
“Therefore, I urge the State Government to intensify its efforts and develop more strategic planning to ensure the successful implementation of all projects under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). To realise this goal, the State Government must further strengthen cooperation and coordination with the Federal Government.”
The Crown Prince of Terengganu, Yang Dipertuan Muda Tengku Muhammad Ismail, and Tengku Muhammad Muaz were also in attendance at the state opening ceremony.
Sultan Mizan also pointed to Malaysia’s upcoming chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025 as a prime opportunity for Terengganu to boost its international profile, particularly in the tourism sector.
His Majesty expressed confidence in the ASEAN Solidarity Cycling Tour 2025 – slated for August under the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community pillar – as a powerful vehicle to position Terengganu as one of Malaysia’s top tourist destinations.
“Malaysia’s role as ASEAN Chair in 2025 provides a golden opportunity for Terengganu to promote its beauty and uniqueness to international visitors and delegates,” he said.
The state’s strong tourism performance last year was also noted, with Terengganu welcoming 7.8 million visitors in 2024 – far surpassing its original target of 4.5 million.
In a wide-ranging address, Sultan Mizan urged the state government to prioritise the development of agriculture and agri-based industries under the newly launched Terengganu Agricultural Strategic Plan 2024–2030.
He called for the expansion of commercial-scale farming across various commodity crops and stressed the need to align such initiatives with market demands and sustainability objectives.
On green energy, the Sultan encouraged the state to take a more proactive role in global stakeholder engagement to further develop the green technology sector. He highlighted that Terengganu had already exceeded 333 Megawatt peak (MWp) in operating solar capacity, with RM1 billion in investments secured from 14 companies as of December 2024.
Turning to industrial infrastructure, Sultan Mizan also spotlighted the economic potential of Kemaman Port. He called on the state to intensify investor engagement, citing the ongoing upgrade of East Wharf at the port – which includes phased crane installations and a strategic rail link – as a key enabler for future cargo growth.
“With the construction of a wider wharf, enhanced equipment, and better rail connectivity, I hope Kemaman Port will be able to accommodate future increases in cargo volume, ultimately contributing to economic development and the competitiveness of Malaysia’s maritime industry,” His Majesty said.
The Sultan’s address set out a comprehensive vision for Terengganu’s future – one built on federal-state cooperation, sustainable development, international exposure, and strategic investments. - April 14, 2025
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