After going through what can be described as a tumultous and challenging year, Zambry Abdul Kadir will complete his first year in office as the Perak menteri besar tomorrow.

It is not a time for celebration, however, because according to Zambry, what is important is for the executive council headed by him to continue giving the best service to people and to administer the state to the best of their ability.

"Maybe there are things that need to be improved and weaknesses that need to be rectified. This makes us all the more determined to serve the people.

"This is our commitment to the people. All the challenges will not dampen our resolve in serving the state and ensure that the principles of good governance are put in place," he said in an interview with the media in Ipoh recently.

Asked what was the biggest impact he created during his first year in office, Zambry said he would rather see the issue from a wider perspective because his focus had always been to improve all aspects of people's lives.

Zambry said the people now felt that there was a real effort to put the state government's administration in order so that it was able to act on the people's requests quickly.

"In terms of the economy, we can see a more vibrant inflow of investment although there are some quarters disputing this. But facts and figures don't lie.

"We received good response from domestic and foreign investors," he said.

Zambry also said that the Perak government had been able to handle pressure from groups who were out to undermine the state's administration.

"For me, the biggest achievement this past one year has been our ability to ensure that the people continue to enjoy peace and prosperity," he said.

He added that soon after assuming office, he had introduced the 3F (field, feel and fill) concept and that the people now felt that they were being cared upon by the government.

Asked from where he drew his strength in helming the government amid constant pestering by opposition parties, Zambry said, "It could be from my smile."

"I believe that when given the trust, I must shoulder it to the best of my ability, even if that would mean I will have to face a mountain of challenge.

"I'm confident that if we have a good intention, we can do our job well," he said.

On his focus for the years to come, Zambry said he would continue to serve to the best of his ability and to further strengthen the state's administration.

He also said that the state government had come up with Perak Amanjaya, a development masterplan for the state.

"I don't play rhetoric; I walk my talk," said Zambry, who took his oath of office on Feb 6 last year.

- Bernama