00:00May the grace of Allah, despite my health, which has not been encouraging of late, I am able to share
00:19some thoughts with all those present.
00:22Unfortunately, as I have yet to fully recover, I have requested my son Mokzani to deliver my speech on my
00:29behalf, much as I wish that I could do it myself.
00:33My apologies.
00:35Nevertheless, it is my fervent hope that today's forum will set another milestone in the pursuit of the SG4 to
00:42be an entity associated with solid management, enterprising, innovative, sustainable and far-sighted.
00:50From the very beginning, I felt that the SG4, as a collective entity made up of the four northernmost states
00:57with a population of 5.7 million and spread over a landmass of over 38,000 km2, is indeed a
01:06sleeping giant.
01:07If these states can get their act together, pool their resources and complement each other, the sky is the limit.
01:14That's not sound too clichéd anymore.
01:16In essence, we can conclude that the SG4 have the size, the land, the people and the infrastructure to develop
01:24their area into a productive and profitable economic and business zone.
01:29Ladies and gentlemen, while the SG4 states can have wonderful dreams of new deposits which will enrich the states, they
01:38must never forget that the real potential and asset is their own people.
01:43If the people in these states do not share the same dreams, then whatever wealth that can potentially be exploited
01:51will not amount to much.
01:53I have often heard that these four states are not wealthy as compared with the western states because the majority
02:00of their people are Malay Muslims who are somehow boxed as a people who are not good in trade and
02:07business.
02:07It may be true if comparisons are made based on borders. However, if it is made of its people, then
02:15it can be said that the successful Malay businessmen and other traders in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and other parts of
02:20western states comprise individuals from the SG4 states.
02:26I may not have the breakdown, but I believe everyone will agree that Klantanis are very prominent in the food
02:32and catering businesses in west coast states.
02:35I am told that those from Terengganu have also broken the Klantanis hole in these businesses.
02:40But a late entry by the people from Terengganu is said to be because of their reluctance to move out
02:46from their state, which they proudly remind everyone else of its beauty and rustic charm.
02:54Obviously, they are not just being boastful as they have received the recognition as the happiest state in the country.
03:06I am from Kedah and I can vouch that we are tough nuts to crack and we work as hard
03:11if not more than those from other states.
03:15I will not leave out Perlis from my mention because I am reminded that it has in the past few
03:20years on its own evolved into a lovable, hipster kind of community.
03:27I am told that for a small state, the number of cafes alongside homestays has mushroomed probably even more than
03:34any of their bigger neighbours.
03:37While some may view this as economics on the peripherals, it should also be viewed as the changing attitude of
03:45the people,
03:46prepared to embrace contemporary business models and challenging established ones.
03:52This is where the SG4 should step in and assist the local businesses to ensure they don't end up saturated
03:59and oversupplying
04:01or even suggest and offer other business models that may be more sustainable.
04:06In the final analysis, the SG4 can only realise its true potential if the attitude of both the leaders and
04:14citizenry
04:15can agree that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala will not change their fate unless they change it themselves.
04:22They need to put their best foot forward because they have been lagging over the decades and to catch up.
04:29Land alone overtake the West Coast states, anything less than 100% commitment may not bear the desired results.
04:36In the 1990s, when Malaysia gained recognition and dubbed an Asian tiger, the mantra was Malaysia Boleh or Malaysia Can,
04:46which basically summed up the energy and commitment put in to gain such confidence and achievement.
04:53In this time for the SG4 states to dig deep with their reserves and declare that SG4 Boleh as well.
05:01So I thank you very much for allowing me to deliver this speech.
05:05Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
05:07Thank you very much.
