THEY say seeing (or hearing in this case) is believing. Imagine how almost instantaneously twice former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is now being cherished by his so-called ‘new bed fellows’ to the extent of being elevated as a reference material for the collaboration of four PAS-rule states known as “State-Government 4 (SG4)”.
Even as his Vision 2020 failed to see the daylight despite being engineered 30 years in advance, Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar hailed the experience of the now Proklamasi Melayu chief advocate as very extensive in the development of the country.
“I don’t think any Malaysian will deny his role in developing Malaysia. In particular, he gave a message about efficient governance that is needed at the state level so that all projects are approved more efficiently,” Samsuri told reporters after the opening ceremony of the Shariah Implementation Symposium Programme yesterday (Sept 14) in Kuala Terengganu.
“It has to be realised that inefficiency is one of the main causes that promoted investors to run away from Terengganu or other (PS-ruled) states.”
In addition, Samsuri who is also the Ru Rendang state assemblyman also acknowledged the role of the elderly statesman in connecting investors from several countries.
“Secondly, we can tap his influence to connect investors from certain countries such as Japan and South Korea who still have a very close network link with the former premier”.
In essence, SG4 is a strategic collaboration according to the jurisdiction of the four PAS-rule states with the focal point on economic development and improving the living standards of the people in those states by identifying their respective assets, strengths and strategic cooperation, among others.
At the initial stage, Samsuri said the state governments of Terengganu and Perlis have collaborated to build and manage a private hospital under the Kumpulan Medic Iman Sdn Bhd (KMI Healthcare) joint venture.
“That was the earliest step we’ve taken even before the existence of SG4,” he added. – Sept 15, 2023
