IPOH: Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, who ascended the throne of Perak in 2014, possesses a strong academic background and a keen interest in economic and social development.
Sultan Nazrin holds a PhD in Politics, Economics and Government from Harvard University; a Bachelor's in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Oxford University and a Master's in Public Administration from Harvard University, equipping him with a deep understanding of complex issues surrounding food security.
Sultan Nazrin is renowned not only for his royal lineage but also for his deep concern and active involvement in addressing various societal issues, including those related to food security.
His views and efforts in this sector reflect a thoughtful and compassionate approach to one of the most pressing global challenges.
His Majesty's leadership and concern were reflected through his speech at the Maal Hijrah 1444 State Level Celebration in July of last year.
Sultan Nazrin has ordered the revival of the Green Book Plan, which was originally launched in 1974, to bolster the agricultural sector as the threat of a food security crisis affecting the world intensifies.
Quoting Sultan Nazrin at the event, His Majesty said that the idea, originally introduced by a former prime minister, the late Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, with the aim of reducing excessive dependence on imported foodstuffs, deserves to be revisited, rejuvenated, and injected with new life.
"The Green Book Plan is an important idea for boosting the agricultural sector without denying the significance of other sectors.
"Strategic measures need to be implemented to nurture a new generation of farmers, expand the cultivation of food crops, and encourage production through modern methods, even on small land," said His Majesty.
Sultan Nazrin noted that the collaboration between the Perak Islamic Religious Council and Malay Customs (MAIPk) and the Perak Islamic Religious Department (JAIPk) with the Agriculture Department to increase foodstuff production represents a strategic departure from conventional work culture.
Sultan Nazrin said this partnership must receive support from various parties.
"Financial support, in addition to fulfilling corporate social responsibility undertaken by the Perak SADC, the Perak Menteri Besar Corporation, and the Perak State Islamic Development Corporation Bhd, plays a crucial role in funding the food production programmes carried out by mosques, surau,
tahfiz and schools, making it very meaningful and encouraging," said His Majesty.
Taking guidance from the speeches of Sultan Nazrin so that the aspect of food security is always given due attention, the state government has multiplied efforts so that all initiatives to strengthen food security as conceived in the plan Perak Sejahtera 2030 can be realised, especially through the collaboration of agencies and departments related to the agricultural sector to generate large-scale food production.
His Majesty also emphasised environmental, social and governance where he ordered corporate companies to establish a corporate sustainability open data online platform and it must be easily accessible to the public and contain data related to sustainability issues.
Among programmes and projects aimed at food security that show the leadership and concern of His Majesty towards food security issues are:
• His Majesty visited the Urban Farming project located on Level 2, Hotel Casuarina@Meru during the Maal Hijrah 1444 Celebration Ceremony at the Perak State Level on July 30 last year.
• His Majesty visited the Malay-sian Agriculture, Horticulture and Agro Tourism Exhibition (MAHA) 2022 in August last year.
• His Majesty graced the Nuzul-Al-Quran celebrations this year and the opening ceremony of the Muhammad Al-Fateh Mosque in Taman Jati in April.
• His Majesty also graced the Perak Agrofest 2023 at Ladang Infoternak, on Sept 30.