Don’t play with fire, warns Sultan

Sultan Muhammad V arrives at Istana Balai Besar Kota Bharu today. NST picture by Zaman Huri Isa

By Sulaiman Jaafar and Sharifah Mahsinah Abdullah

KOTA BARU: The sultan of Kelantan Sultan Muhammad V reminded the people to be aware of the unhealthy climate created by anti-establishment elements out to change the peaceful and harmony atmosphere in the country.

Sultan Muhammad V said the groups have chosen to forget the facts of the 'social contract' which has been agreed upon by creating religious issues, challenging the authority of the Malay rulers and the position of the Malay language and many others to claim benefits for themselves.

"I call on all parties to stop playing with fire and provocative actions which could lead to an unhealthy situation in society and the country," he said in his speech at the investiture ceremony held in conjunction with his 42nd birthday at the Istana Balai Besar here today.

On another development, the sultan said the Kelantan government should take steps to reduce the deficit in its budget although deficit budgets were normal in many countries.   

"I hope the state government will always take positive steps to reduce the deficit so it will be in a controllable limit. To overcome the problem, it must be prudent in its spending with focus on necessary expenditures.

"The state government must also concentrate on increasing income and its sources," he said.

The Sultan also hoped that the Sungai Kelantan flood mitigation project which was being implemented would overcome or minimise the risks of floods in the monsoon season.

Meanwhile, menteri besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat in his speech said the state government and the people would always give their support and be loyal to him.

"We also want to take this opportunity to congratulate the Sultan for being appointed as the deputy Yang di Pertuan Agong recently," he said.

A total of 213 people led by Armed Forces chief General Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin received their awards at the ceremony. Zulkifeli was conferred the Darjah Kebesaran Mahkota Kelantan Yang Amat Mulia (Al-Muhammadi I) (SPMK), the highest award for the people.

http://www.nst.com.my/latest/don-t-play-with-fire-warns-sultan-1.4841?localLinksEnabled=false&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Daulat Tuanku !
Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device via Vodafone-Celcom Mobile.