By M K Anwar

His Majesty said that Hijrah carries the meaning of change. It contains an important meaning, which explains that everything must change for the better.

"This is the reality of Hijrah. It does not only mean to move ahead but we must also experience changes or carry out changes," His Majesty said.

"The changes," His Majesty added, "even if it's just a minor one still carries importance.

"For example, someone who is not keen on watching the news telecast but is now interested in following it. This undoubtedly is a positive change."

His Majesty reiterated that something good happens from a realisation and without it there can be no change.

His Majesty gave another example of someone who is smoking but then stops after realising the dangers of smoking cigarettes.

"This is the role of realisation and it must always be stimulated."

In relation to this, His Majesty praised propagation and motivation in any shape or form that is aimed at increasing the community's awareness to change.

"It is also related to other issues that needs us to change," said His Majesty.

His Majesty said that if one is lazy then it is appropriate for him to change and become hardworking. If one is less active he needs to change to become more active and if one is less creative he should strive to be more creative.

The realisation does not come spontaneously even if it's stimulated unless there is an exceptional reason that drives us to change, said the monarch.

His Majesty again took to the issue of cigarettes. Although there have been stimulus in the form of knowledge on the dangers of smoking, there are still many who continue to smoke.

Many countries have discovered the dangers of smoking and have taken steps by enacting regulations and acts to tackle it.

This, said His Majesty, is something to be thought over deeply. Though we have overcome many problems there are still some we have not been able to solve.

So, in conjunction with the Hijrah New Year, His Majesty said that it is appropriate that we see the important issue that can make or lead to changes, especially for government agencies.

"There are many key issues that we must tackle, some that need to be hastened like the issue of floods or areas that are prone to flooding.

"We have heard that this is due to the drainage system that has not been given attention, like those that are blocked by vegetation that stops the flow of water.

"If this is true, is it not important for action to be taken or make instant changes," asked His Majesty.

The ruler pointed out that it (flooding) may also be caused by lapses in construction.

"There may be projects that are not strictly supervised by any regulations or acts, where contractors flatten hills, dig and remove earth and also dispose garbage that risk affecting the drains and environment.

"This issue may look small but it is not. It is closely related to legislations, management, ethics and discipline. When all of these are kept in mind then it can help us tackle any problem," His Majesty added.

His Majesty stressed in order to move forward we have to take appropriate steps to tackle any problem.

"If there are issues that need special regulations or acts, then why not improve the management with the enforcement of those regulations and acts?

"Or if we still don't have the regulations or acts in place then there is nothing wrong if we re-enact the related regulations and acts?" said His Majesty.

This is the way to initiate change towards progress and not function with a closed mind or hit a dead end, said His Majesty.

His Majesty extended his New Hijrah Year 1429 wishes and those from the members of the royal family to one and all.