REGENT OF PERAK: BE BRAVE IN EXPLORING NEW IDEAS

IPOH (Malaysia), May 7 (Bernama) -- The Regent of Perak Raja Dr Nazrin Shah
Thursday advised the state administration machinery to be brave and open in
exploring new ideas and innovation in order to optimise productivity and cut
costs.

Opening the first session of the second term of the Perak State Assembly
here Thursday, he expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the
government's delivery system in northern Perak-state in Peninsular Malaysia
through the introduction of several new methods in providing service like
payment of quit rent and education loans via Internet banking and at post
offices.

Other innovations included using the short-messaging service (SMS), e-mail
and checking through the online method status of education loan applications and
on the processing of development plans at one-stop-centres of local authorities.

Raja Dr Nazrin praised the state government for establishing the Perak
Economic Council and believed the consultative body made of economic experts,
academicians, industry players and representatives of various government
agencies would give rise to new ideas in tackling the current economic crisis.

Expressing thanks on the positive effects shown by the two economic stimulus
packages introduced by the federal government in the wake of the global economic
crisis, he, however, reminded the state government to be alert to the latest
developments on it so that economic growth would not be jeopardised.


"The state government must continue to be vigilant in this uncertain
economic climate and furthermore, with the influenza A(H1N1) pandemic that has
broken out now, the tourism and services sectors are likely to be affected.

"The government will have to continuosly take proactive steps in tackling
the present economic crisis and at the same time prepare sound planning to
attain the Perak Maju 2015 goal (Perak a developed state by 2015)," he said.

In his speech which touched on various economic sectors, the Regent among
others reminded the state government to exercise wisdom in its approach to
stimulate the tourism sector.

"Tourism promotion should be focused on products and not events: and to go
even further, management and promotion of tourism products ideally should be
left to the private sector while the public sector concentrates on developing
infrastructure and play the role of a facilitator," he said.

Raja Dr Nazrin stressed that besides popularising tourism products in Perak,
the state government was also making efforts in producing new entreprenuers in
the tourism sector and improving the quality of service to the point of being
able to meet the expectations of foreign tourists.

Touching on public housing, he said the state government targetted each
family in Perak would own a house by 2015.

"Owning a comfortable house is the dream of each family. As such, I would
like to remind the planners and implementers to pay attention to design and
space, affordability as well as meeting construction deadlines," he said.

He also reminded the state government on its responsibility to eradicate
poverty.

"Success, progress and prosperity of a country only has meaning when there
are no longer any poor citizens," he said.

Besides opening opportunities for the poor to join people's land schemes and
provision of financial aid, comprehensive poverty eradication strategies were
those that focused on improving basic facilities, human capital development of
the hardcore poor group and development of cottage industries to help raise
their household income in a structured way, he said.

Raja Dr Nazrin also viewed seriously incidents of crime, drug addiction
and the Mat Rempit (Hell Riders) culture which were becoming more prevalent now.

The firm action taken by the authorities in enforcing the laws should be
supported and the principle of the rule of law should be held dear, he said.

"I understand the heavy responsibility faced by the Police.

"The public must give their full cooperation and assistance to enable the
police to do their jobs effectively.

"The sacrifices made by members of the police and Malaysian Defence Forces
in defending the sovereignty of the country and preserve peace and harmony
should be appreciated," he added.

-- BERNAMA