Mukhriz wants civil servants to help build a 'New Kedah'





ALOR SETAR, May 24 (Bernama) -- Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir has called on civil servants in the state to help him establish a 'New Kedah' in line with the 'New Malaysia' spirit at the federal level.

He said this was in keeping with the hopes and aspirations of the people who had voted for change in the 14th General Election.

"Becoming the menteri besar for the second time has given me a more complete perspective on the sincerity and loyalty of the administrators in carrying out this responsibility together for the sake of our beloved Kedah.

"It's time for us to build a new culture, a culture which is the catalyst for success, a culture that is no longer laden with bad practices which hold us from achieving success in life," he said when addressing more than 3,000 civil servants at a programme on upholding integrity held at Wisma Darul Aman here today.

Mukhriz said the Sultan of Kedah, Sultan Sallehuddin Ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah, had, in a decree, emphasised the importance of proper administrative planning for the benefit of the people.

In this regard, Mukhriz said, he also welcomed constructive criticism to ensure that Kedah remained on the path of progress and development.

"Based on the general election on May 9, the lesson we have learned is that Malaysians, including the people of Kedah, reject oppressive leaders. People are willing to vote for parties other than the one they have always trusted, to form the federal government.

"People reject leaders who do not accept criticism, even though it is in the best interest of the leaders themselves," he said.

He recalled the time when he was forced to step down as the menteri besar just because he was critical of a leader, and which was misinterpreted as a betrayal.

"The criticism was not personal but driven by the feeling of affection and the desire to see my leader (at that time) not humiliate himself by making the wrong decisions. It was also done in the interests of the people, who reacted negatively towards the federal government's decision to implement the Goods and Services Tax," he said.

At the event, Mukhriz also launched the new slogan, 'Kedah Aman Makmur - Harapan Bersama Makmurkan Kedah'.

-- BERNAMA