KUANTAN: The Regent of Pahang has advised state assemblymen to move towards more honest, sincere and mature politics to help the people and advance the nation.

       Tengku Mahkota Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah (pic) said the people and the nation should not be burdened by endless political crises and power struggles.

       "I would like to remind every assemblyman that this is not the time to grab power; not the time to fight among ourselves; not the time to talk without doing anything.

       "Instead, this is the time for us to come together for the country, the state and the people," said Tengku Hassanal, adding that the people were placing high hopes on them during the pandemic.

       He said this at the opening of the state assembly sitting here on Monday (Aug 23).

       Tengku Hassanal also reminded all parties to practice environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles.

       "I am calling once again on all parties including my government, corporations and private companies as well as individuals to take the implementation of these principles seriously," he said.

       He urged the state government to examine and review the rules and existing standard operating procedures.

       "I welcome advanced and modern development. However, it is not an excuse to neglect the environment and carry out destruction at will. The ends do not justify the means.

       "The development that we wish for must be done while maintaining environmental, flora and fauna sustainability. My government must be an example in practicing the ESG principles," said Tengku Hassanal.