KUALA PILAH: Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negri Sembilan Tuanku Ja'afar Tuanku Abdul Rahman yesterday urged the people to remain patient and focused in dealing with the increased prices of fuel and food.

He said the people should come up with their own strategies on how to deal with the situation by saving, investing prudently and increasing their productivity.

"The problem we are facing now is a global one.

"I am confident the people have the means and determination to overcome this situation," he said in his address at the investiture ceremony in conjunction with his 86th birthday at Istana Besar Seri Menanti here yesterday.

The Ruler said the people should also heed the government's call to plant vegetables at home and on vacant land which would help overcome the problem of idle land in the state.
"We should not sit back and let the present economic situation get the better of us.

"It is time for us to rise to the challenge and play our part to increase productivity and maximise the usage of land in the state.

"I hope I will be able to see golden padi fields and miles of green vegetables throughout the state, some day."

On education, Tuanku Ja'afar said more efforts should be made to encourage youths to further their studies and also take up vocational training programmes to become productive citizens.