GEORGE TOWN: Penang Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak called on the international community, on humanitarian principles, to jointly support all diplomatic efforts to end violence in Gaza.
He said the international community should support all diplomatic efforts to reach a comprehensive and complete solution, which is fair and just for the good of all mankind.
He said, lately, the world has been shocked by tragic news and developments in the Gaza Strip.
He added that the ongoing conflict and war caused great suffering to the Palestinian people, with the general public, especially innocent children and women, being killed and many others who have lost their lives and homes.
"As a responsible and caring member of the global community, it is our collective responsibility to improve awareness of what is happening and work towards helping with the pain and catastrophe that the Palestinians are experiencing in Gaza and the West Bank.
"I strongly condemn it and urge that all acts of violence, murder and cruelty happening to the Palestinian population cease immediately," he said in his speech when opening the 15th state legislative assembly sitting here today.
This is the first meeting held soon after the state elections in August, which saw the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional coalition retaining power in the state with 29 seats.
The opposition secured 11 seats.
Fuzi said it was important that the safety and wellbeing of the people is prioritised.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had recently called on the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries to consistently and assertively call for an immediate ceasefire and expedite humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza.
More than 11,000 Palestinians, a majority of them women and children, have been killed as a result of more than a month of relentless Israeli airstrikes and brutal ground operations in Gaza.
Thousands remained unaccounted for, believed to be trapped under the rubble of razed buildings.
Meanwhile, in his speech, Fuzi congratulated the state government under Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow for the state's excellent record of achievement over the past year.
He said in 2022, Penang's economy grew by 13.1 per cent, a significant increase from the
previous year's growth rate of 6.9 per cent in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with value recorded at RM112.1 billion.
He said the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) reported that the manufacturing sector continued to be the driver of the state's economic growth, with a significant increase from 12.4 per cent in 2021 to 15.9 per cent in 2022.
He added that the state also recorded as many as RM13.7 billion in approved manufacturing investment in the year 2022, involving an inflow of 135 projects that will generate 15,752 new jobs.
"This makes Penang one of the highest contributors, with a 16 per cent contribution in approved manufacturing investment in the country in 2022.
"Foreign direct investment (FDI) recorded as much as RM9.7 billion or 71 per cent of manufacturing investment inflows for the year 2022 while the balance, RM4 billion or 29 per cent comprised direct domestic investment (DDI).
"This impressive economic achievement shows that Penang is on an encouraging economic trajectory and is potentially emerging as an important economic force in Asean," he added.
In his speech, Fuzi also called on the federal government to increase allocation for Penang's development.
He said as a responsible government, serious attention and a reminder should be given to all agencies and departments to continue to prepare for the Northeast Monsoon.
"MET Malaysia has predicted during this monsoon season, Penang is expected to receive monthly rainfall ranging between 190mm to 290mm this month and between 90mm to 130mm next month.
"My advice to the people of Penang is to stay alert with the latest weather changes and warnings and cooperate in complying with the instructions and procedures set from time to time," he said.