SEREMBAN, Apr 23 — The Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir, has emphasised that the state administration must continue to function as usual to ensure orderly governance and safeguard the interests of the people.
His Royal Highness said that despite the absence of the state dignitaries, namely the four chieftains and Tunku Besar Tampin, who usually accompany him at the opening of every State Legislative Assembly session, the situation does not affect the legitimacy or smooth conduct of the proceedings.
“I pray to Allah SWT that my state and its people will continue to be blessed with prosperity and harmony under the leadership of Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun and the state executive council.
“I am deeply grateful that the strong cooperation within my government has continued to deliver excellent performance over the past year,” he said in his royal address when gracing the opening of the First Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th State Legislative Assembly at Wisma Negeri here today.
The Tunku Ampuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud, was in attendance.
Tuanku Muhriz further noted that Negeri Sembilan has made history as the first state in Malaysia to achieve zero hardcore poverty consistently since 2023.
Through targeted interventions and close monitoring, the milestone was first recorded at the end of 2023 when 3,530 heads of households (KIRs) were lifted out of the hardcore poor category.
His Royal Highness said the achievement was not temporary but sustained, with 1,697 KIRs exiting the category in 2024, rising to 2,275 KIRs last year, and a further 1,106 KIRs as of January 30 this year, ensuring the state has maintained zero hardcore poverty for four consecutive years.
He stressed that efforts to eradicate hardcore poverty should not be viewed merely as statistics, but as a reflection of the government’s commitment to preserving the dignity and wellbeing of the people.
“This is to ensure that Negeri Sembilan remains not only advanced in physical development, but also exemplary in safeguarding the social wellbeing of its people,” he said.
In his royal address, Tuanku Muhriz also expressed pride in the state’s overall achievements in education, noting continued recognition across primary, secondary and higher education levels.
On tourism, the ruler said this year marks a significant milestone with the declaration of Visit Negeri Sembilan Year, reflecting the state’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the sector as a pillar of sustainable economic growth, particularly in coastal tourism, ecotourism and the ‘Adat Perpatih’ heritage.
Meanwhile, as Head of Islam in the state, Tuanku Muhriz also called for greater emphasis on efforts to strengthen the economy and knowledge of the Muslim community, including enhancing the role of mosques and surau as centres for the propagation of Islam.
