KUALA LUMPUR: Those who have not been vaccinated against Covid-19 should do so, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah said in a reminder to the people.

       His Majesty said it included getting a booster dose to ensure the country could control the Covid-19 pandemic.

       “The country is still not free from the pandemic, so let us all abide by the guidelines and regulations as part of efforts to combat Covid-19 that have been outlined by the government,” he said at the investiture of Federal Territories awards, medals and honours in conjunction with the 2022 Federal Territory Day at Istana Negara here yesterday.

       Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah was also in attendance.

       His Majesty conferred awards, honours and medals to 263 recipients at the investiture ceremony.

       Meanwhile, Sultan Abdullah said that Malaysians should continue strengthening unity and avoid division.

       “The foundation of a nation’s strength is the bond and the spirit of unity and equality in upholding the principles of Rukun Negara to ensure that the country’s sovereignty continues to be safeguarded,” he said, reported Bernama.

       His Majesty expressed appreciation for the commitment shown by the Federal Government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to ensure success of the initiatives based on the principles of ensuring well-being, alleviating cost of living and improving life quality of the people in the Federal Territories (FT).

       “Apart from that, assistance given to the poor in 178 low- and medium-cost housing areas in Kuala Lumpur had also helped in alleviating the cost of living of the urban poor,” he said in his speech at the ceremony.

       While congratulating FT Minister Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim, Sultan Abdullah also lauded the government’s commitment to making the FT more prosperous and sustainable for people from all walks of life through its affordable housing agenda.

       His Majesty said the Residensi Prihatin Keluarga Malaysia and the Residensi Wilayah Keluarga Malaysia were among the initiatives that could help FT dwellers, especially those from the B40 and M40 groups, own comfortable and good quality houses.

       Sultan Abdullah said efforts to provide quality and comprehensive infrastructure, and to redevelop abandoned and obsolete city areas,could turn the FT into fresher, livelier and liveable territories.

       In this context, the King also expressed hope that the development of the FT into a world-class smart city by 2030, as well as a low-carbon city, could be realised.

       Sultan Abdullah also touched on the recent massive flood disaster, which caused various problems to the people and had also affected the country’s economic recovery process.

       He said the government should come out with a long-term solution to the flood woes and empower the disaster management mechanisms.

       In fact, Sultan Abdullah said the capital city of Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley, as the country’s economic and financial centre, should have a proper contingency plan in facing floods.