Development projects in Kelantan, proof BN govt is fair: Najib

KOTA BARU: Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak said the implementation of various development projects in Kelantan is proof that the Barisan Nasional (BN) government is fair to all of the people regardless of political affiliation.

The prime minister said, besides not wanting the people of Kelantan to lag behind, the government being helmed by him was committed to developing the state to be on par with other states in the country.

"My government's slogan is of people's first and performance must be prioritised, I also state that our development must be inclusive, must touch every corner of our country from the border of Siam (Thailand) to the Philippines' border. We must bring development to all Malaysians," he said.

He said this when officiating the groundbreaking ceremony of the Sungai Kelantan River Basin Integrated Development Project, costing RM572 million, here today.

Also present were Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Wan Jaafar and International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.

"We don't want anyone to be left behind, this is based on the religious principle in Islam that when we rule, we have to be a fair leader to all, meaning that we must not do injustice, we must be fair.

"That's why I am different in my stand from my predecessor, a leader for 22 years who neglected Kelantan because of political differences, but I hold (to the principle) that despite differences in politics, we must be fair to all," he said to the applause from thousands of people present.

Najib said the Sungai Kelantan PLSB project was among some of the major projects being and would be implemented in the state for the benefit of the people.

He said the project, which would commence tomorrow and was expected to be completed by May 2021, will be able to mitigate the flood problem faced by the people every year as well as eliminate massive floods such as the ones that took place in 2014.

"Looking at the floods that took place in 2014, it is not the normal flood water but also the mud that caused the people to suffer, I'm not willing to see Kelantan people suffering like that," he said.

Hence, Najib said the National Transformation policy would be able to be implemented jointly with a responsible government policy and strengthening of the country's finances.

"If the country's finances are not strong and unstable, how can such a big project be implemented by the federal government in Kelantan and other states," he said.

Another development project to be implemented in the state is the expansion of Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Pengkalan Chepa to accommodate four million passengers from 1.3 million people at present.

"The bridge (Sultan Yahya Petra) is already six lanes, previously MB (Kelantan mentri besar) complained to go to the office takes half an hour, now 10 minutes only, because this bridge was built by the federal government, Kelantan MB also benefitted, this is our government," he said.

The prime minister said the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) connecting Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang with Port Klang, Selangor will see the state's economic growth continuing to grow and give benefits to the people once it is completed.

He hoped all parties, including the state government, would give full cooperation to ensure the implementation of all these development projects. — Bernama