The Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir said extremist movements that threatened harmonious coexistence between Muslims and non-Muslims must be monitored and sternly dealt with.
The ruler said such extremism was clearly in conflict with Quranic and Sunnah teachings due to wayward interpretations to serve the extremist groups' own interest.
“Islam, which is a beautiful religion, has never enjoined or sowed extremism among its followers. It was introduced as a complete way of life for mankind and it acknowledges that Allah has created different races with certain wisdom.
“As people of the Prophet (pbuh), Muslims should emulate the noble attributes and personality of the Prophet who always practised moderation, honesty, and trustworthiness in all matters.
“I believe the noble values and morals that are inherent in other religions are also practised in a plural society like Malaysia.”
Tuanku Muhriz said this at the investiture ceremony in conjunction with the ruler's 68th birthday celebration, held at the Balai Rong Seri (Throne Room), Istana Besar Seri Menanti, near Kuala Pilah today.
Among those present were Menteri Besar Mohamad Hasan and wife Raja Salbiah Tengku Nujumuddin, and state secretary Mat Ali Hassan.
Tuanku Muhriz also urged the people to imbibe and practise the principles of Rukun Negara for peace, harmony and prosperity to prevail.
He said the young must be exposed to these national principles at an early age, so that they would understand the true meaning and not just as something to be memorised and said out at certain gatherings and events.
The ruler said he was proud of the rapid development taking place in various sectors in the state.
“Although the economic landscape was facing uncertainties, my government has managed to deal with it by drawing up strategies, and holistic and comprehensive plans. I have been informed by my 'memanda' (menteri besar) that my government has been planning a long-term development agenda for Negri Sembilan.”
He said the agenda would include the creation of a new growth area, Malaysia Vision Valley, to commence in 2016, and rural development to ensure balanced development and overall modernisation of the state, as well as making Negri Sembilan a developed state by 2020.
Mohamad, in his speech, said the state government was aware that the problem of rising cost of living was burdening the people, so it had planned various initiatives in improving the situation, in line with the agenda of ‘Enriching the state, prospering the people".
He said these included the provision of various forms of aid and creating opportunities for people to generate income for their families, besides increasing the state's revenue through foreign direct investments and domestic investments, and collection of royalty from its natural resources.
Mohamad said in the interest of the people and their welfare, the state government chose not to increase taxes but to raise revenue through other means.
The people, on the other hand, should also play their role in spurring the economy, besides spending prudently, he added.
At the investiture ceremony, 121 people received state awards, honours and medals from the ruler.
The list of recipients was led by former Universiti Selangor (Unisel) vice-chancellor Kamarudin Kachar, who was conferred the Darjah Seri Setia Negri Sembilan Yang Amat Cemerlang, which carries the title of Datuk Seri.
- Bernama
