KUALA LIPIS – The Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, reminded leaders in the state to avoid playing up political sentiments that could divide the people.
He said that political parties form a platform for the democratic practice of national and state administration; therefore, political parties should not be allowed to break the unity of the people.
“I do not want my subjects divided and fighting over politics. Nothing makes me happier than seeing my beloved subjects living in peace and prosperity,” he said after completing the four-day 2024 Mahkota Mudik Sg Pahang Expedition at Dataran Santuari Kg Tg Gahai here.
Tengku Hassanal was accompanied by Tengku Panglima Raja Brigadier Tengku Amir Nasser Ibrahim Shah.
Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail was also present.
Tengku Hassanal said that apart from protecting the people of Pahang, he also needs to unite the people in the spirit of family and love.
“This programme (Mahkota Mudik Sg Pahang Expedition) is the basis of the bond of friendship between me and the people, apart from the trust that I am responsible for.
“I am happy to see people’s smiles and laughter,” he said, adding that the expedition also served as the best platform for him to engage with the people.
He also expressed his happiness meeting the people regardless of age, background and race, including the Orang Asli community and reminded everyone to protect the forest.
Tengku Kassanal also ordered the state government to identify the forest that is the source of the river and thus gazette it as a water catchment area.
“Do not allow any logging, development or plantation projects in the area,” he said.
The 400km expedition began in Pekan and ended in Tg Gahai, using kajang boats, which were once the primary mode of public transportation for those who used the river to communicate. – March 7, 2024
