Johor Ruler proposes monitoring unit for state government subsidiary companies

The Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar has proposed that a monitoring unit be set up to oversee the direction and performance of all Johor government subsidiary companies to avoid wastage and ensure no abuse occurs.

He said he also did not want any state-owned companies to conduct businesses outside their designated areas.

"The Johor state government has set up companies like Johor Corporation (JCorp), the Johor Education Foundation, Perbadanan Islam and others to help develop the state's economy.

"However, I would like to remind all companies and subsidiaries set up under them to manage themselves according to the guidelines set by the government," he said in his speech for the opening of the fifth session of the 13th Johor State Assembly sitting at Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim, here today.

The text of his his speech was read out by the Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, who represented Sultan Ibrahim in officiating the sitting.

Sultan Ibrahim said that he also hoped that the Johor government and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) would continue collaborating to weed out abuse of power and corruption.

He said MACC investigations into Johor government civil servants should also not be seen as trying to weaken the state government but instead make it stronger.

"The question of integrity should not be compromised. I believe that the majority of civil servants in Johor practice a high level of integrity.

"Just because of a small number of individuals who are not honest, the good name of the service has been spoilt," he added.

At the same time, he said, the public is advised to help the state government eradicate corruption and not look for shortcuts through "toll payments" or any other bribes.

Sultan Ibrahim also urged the Johor State Islamic Religious Department to study the weaknesses in religious studies and improve them as he wanted future Bangsa Johor generations to have religious knowledge.

He said the problem of a lack of teachers, school facilities and unsuitable classes should be given appropriate attention.

"The Johor religious school education system is an example to the other states, but today, I see it as becoming weaker and less important," he said.

Sultan Ibrahim said in order to build a generation which is disciplined and honourable, parents and families must bear the responsibility of looking after and guiding their children at home and not blame others if the children are uncontrolled and involved in unhealthy activities.

"For instance, the incidence of bicycling youths in the middle of the night early this year, why let them go out at 3am and ride bicycles without lights on the main roads. I hope this does not happen again," he said.

- BERNAMA