Malaysia

Do more for rural poor, Agong exhorts Sarawak lawmakers after 2,000km Borneo tour

Al-Sultan Abdullah laments that one place he visited did not even have treated water.

Updated 2 years ago · Published on 13 Sep 2023 4:46PM

Do more for rural poor, Agong exhorts Sarawak lawmakers after 2,000km Borneo tour
With the common people... The Yang di-Pertuan Agong dancing with local folks in Bekenu district in northern Sarawak during his Pan Borneo Highway tour. Sarawak State Public Communications Unit pic.

by Stephen Then

KUCHING – The Yang di-Pertuan Agong has enjoined leaders of the Sarawak government of  federal leaders in Putrajaya to do more to improve the lives of the rural communities in Sarawak.

Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah said that he has personally heard grouses from the common folks who did not even have the basic of amenities such as treated water supply.

"The state government and federal government need to do more to improve the lives of the rural folks," he said at a state banquet last night. 

"There are still many who do not even have the very basic of amenities. I visited a place where there was no treated water.

"I have received letters and heard grouses from the folks who are still living in difficult conditions.

"He said that while he promised to help do his best to look into their plight, he hoped that all state assembly representatives and MPs will visit their constituents on the ground and look into these greviances.

"Go to the rakyat and address their problems," he said. Also present was Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah.

The King said this during the banquet held in conjunction with his tour of Pan Borneo Highway routes in Sabah and Sarawak which began on September 3.

He described his encounters and observations during the lengthy journey as being very useful.

It has allowed him and the queen to see for themselves the condition of the are where the highway passes through, he said.

The king emphasised that developing a state is a shared responsibility between the state government and the federal government.

"Both state and federal leaders must work in unision," he stressed. "The state and national leaders must meet often to address the greviances of the rakyat.

The royal couple have ended their tour of the Pan Borneo Highway covering some 2,145km across east Malaysia and Brunei.

They will grace the Malaysia Day grand celebration in Kuching on September 16. -- The Vibes, September 13, 2023

Spotlight

Malaysia

Bersatu-PH tie-up a possibility as coalition seeks Malay support, analyst says

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

Woman molested on her way home from work (video)

Malaysia

Court allows Daim's daughter to permanently keep passport

Malaysia

Santiago pokes holes in data centre hype, asks: Who really benefits?

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir

Malaysia

Jeweller vows to pursue Rosmah until ‘every penny’ is recovered as RM67.5m battle enters enforcement phase

Malaysia

Ambulance carrying two injured men crashes en route to hospital after MPV collision in Besut

Malaysia

Man blames 'lack of love' for sexual assault on teens

Business

BNM's OPR to stay at 2.75 pcent in 2026 amid strong domestic demand - Kenanga IB

Malaysia

Missing jewellery: Rosmah ordered to pay RM67.5 million

You may be interested

Malaysia

Eight homes destroyed in morning fire at Kuala Perlis

Malaysia

EC cites logistical constraints, lack of operational readiness for separate Johor and NS polls

Malaysia

Anwar’s leadership strengthens Japanese investor confidence in Malaysia — Bank Rakyat Chairman

Malaysia

Pressure mounts on Selangor to withdraw non-Muslim worship guidelines amid growing public concern

Malaysia

Police press ahead with probe despite TikToker’s public apology over Tok Batin claims

Malaysia

Man charged with murder after body found wrapped in mattress in Melaka shophouse

Malaysia

Shop assistant pleads guilty to machete attack on father and arson of family vehicles

Malaysia

E-hailing driver injured after alleged assault by three passengers in Skudai

By Alfian Z.M. Tahir