ACTING M'SIAN KING CALLS FOR CONSULTATION IN RESOLVING ISSUES

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 1 (Bernama) -- Acting Malaysian King Tuanku Abdul Halim
Mu'adzam Shah Monday advised all quarters to revert to consultation to resolve
any outstanding issue.

"One of our strengths is the spirit of consultation in resolving any problem,"
he said at an investiture in conjunction with Federal Territory Day, at the
Istana Negara (National Palace) here.

He said it was the duty of everyone, whether they were members of the
administration, government or opposition, civil servants, the public or members
of non-governmental organisations, to maintain harmony, solidarity and a
tolerant attitude among the people of the various races and religions for the
prosperity of the nation.

Tuanku Abdul Halim said he hoped that civil servants would focus their attention
on the interests of the people in discharging their duty, in line with the
1Malaysia concept of "People First, Performance Now".

He also said it was hoped that in facing the global economic downturn, the
people in the federal territories would give their undivided support to
government efforts to stimulate the country's economic growth.

He said efforts must be ongoing to enable the people, particularly those from
the low-income group, to own houses, while measures were taken to prohibit the
growth of squatter housing.

In the excitement to achieve physical and economic growth, the people should not
neglect the need to safeguard the environment, he said, adding that he hoped
that development measures would take into account any harmful impact on the
environment.

Tuanku Abdul Halim said he hoped that the award of the Federal Territory honours
and medals would motivate all recipients to work together towards realising
progress and prosperity in the federal territories.

Earlier, Federal Territories and Urban Well-being Minister Raja Nong Chik Raja
Zainal Abidin, in his speech, said the federal territories had targeted to
eliminate hardcore poverty by the end of this year.

Raja Nong Chik said the ministry was also taking measures to step up the
quality of life in the urban areas by improving the infrastructure, such as
providing covered walkways, pedestrian bridges and better bus services.

At the investiture, Tuanku Abdul Halim presented Federal Territory awards and
medals to 240 people conferred the honours including former prime minister
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, and Deputy Prime
Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and his wife, Noorainee Abdul Rahman, also attended
the investiture.

The Federal Territory is a collective of three territories namely Kuala Lumpur,
Labuan which is located adjacent to the East Malaysian state of Sabah, and
Putrajaya, Malaysia's federal administrative centre.
-- BERNAMA