KUANTAN: Pahang will introduce a new law, making it compulsory for business operators to show loyalty to the Sultan of Pahang and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong before permits and licences are issued.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said various quarters, including assemblymen, had expressed displeasure with irresponsible quarters who had insulted the Yang di-Pertuan Agong recently, prompting the state executive council to approve the new ruling.
“When issuing business licences and permits, the local council and related agencies have to include a new approval requirement for them (business operators),” Wan Rosdy said in his winding-up speech at the state legislative assembly sitting at Wisma Sri Pahang, here, today.
“They (operators) have to respect and show loyalty to the Sultan of Pahang and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“Failure to adhere to the requirement will result in the business permits and licences being revoked.
“We hope the stern requirement will serve as an effective preventive measure to overcome the such issues.”
On the future of bauxite mining activities, he said the government was scrutinising the feedback gathered during the public dialogue session at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Silver Jubilee hall here on April 14.
“Once the standard operating procedures (SOP) has been finalised with further improvements, the ministry will make an announcement on when mining, transport and export activities can resume.
“I hope all the stakeholders, including Felda settlers whose land are involved in the mining activities, will remain patient until further announcement,” he said.
Wan Rosdy said the state
would explore new resources to diversify its sources of revenues.
He said Pahang could not continue to rely on traditional natural resources such as minerals, logging or traditional commodities such as rubber and palm oil to generate income.
Instead, he said the state government had adopted a new strategy to tap into new resources that could generate sustainable income, including the digital economy and green technology.
“We have to look into resources that can ensure a promising future and the solutions are asset and property management, renewable energy, health and sports tourism, green technology and digital economy.
“Setting up the ‘Pahang Go’ application is an initiative by the state government to utilise digital economy as it is set to transform the business world whereby blockchain, online business and cashless transactions will become the ecosystem (network) for entrepreneurs and businesses. This is in line with the 4.0 industrial revolution,” he said.
In a move to conserve the environment, he said the state government would emphasise green technology and renewable energy, including exploring agriculture activities to downstream products.
Citing an example, he said processed oil palm fruits could be turned into bathing soap, cooking oil and margarine.
“Renewable energy can help increase the state’s revenues. Domestic waste can be processed into fertiliser. European countries have the technology to produce such products so the state government will try to lure foreign investors (European countries) to venture into such activities.”
Wan Rosdy said Pahang Corporation would soon become the agency responsible for handling the state government’s assets, including vehicles, buildings and equipment.
He said it would also serve as the coordinating agency to restructure the operations of state-owned government-linked companies, which were involved in providing audit, insurance and training services.
The menteri besar also described sports tourism as an upcoming sector globally and organising international or national-level sports festivals, and events at selected tourism destinations in Pahang would lure a huge number of visitors to the state.