More Funds To Kelantan Terengganu Prove We Are Fair Says Anwar

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Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (centre) at the state-level Aidilfitri celebration in Bachok, Kelantan, with menteri besar Nassuruddin Daud (left). (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has dismissed claims the government marginalised opposition-led states, saying the allocation of funds to these states has increased.
He said the allocation for Kelantan had increased by 30% to RM762 million last year from RM588 million in 2023, while the allocation to Terengganu recorded a 28% increase to RM2.02 billion from RM1.57 billion in 2023, Bernama reported.
“This allocation is the main source of state revenue, especially for Kelantan and Terengganu, which only generate around RM500 million and RM250 million from their own state resources, respectively,” he said at the state-level Aidilfitri celebration in Bachok, Kelantan, today.
Anwar said Putrajaya had also approved an allocation for a poverty eradication programme, amounting to RM25 million for Kelantan and RM60 million for Terengganu, this year.
His comments also follow a special meeting on the future of state development with the Kelantan government at the Kota Darulnaim complex in Kota Bharu this morning.
According to Kelantan menteri besar Nassuruddin Daud, several development project proposals were brought to Anwar’s attention during the meeting.
“Several projects that are a priority to the state government were presented to the prime minister and we are hopeful they will be given due consideration for the welfare of the people,” he told the gathering.
Nassuruddin also hoped the good relationship between the state and the federal government would continue.
Kelantan flood projects expedited
Anwar said the federal government had decided to expedite flood mitigation projects in Kelantan to address the state’s perennial flooding problem.
He said this included exploring new methods not only to tackle the flood issue but also to resolve water shortages during the drought seasons.
“This year, I have decided that the phased flood mitigation projects, despite their high cost, must be expedited. We don’t want to continue witnessing yearly floods, with the flood situation remaining unmanageable while governments, including the federal government, come and go.
“Allah has given us strength, effort and technology — can’t the overflowing floodwaters be stored for the dry season? Of course, it can be done,” he said.
Anwar said the federal government has allocated RM3.19 billion for the implementation of development projects in Kelantan in 2025, which is almost double the RM1.55 billion in 2022.
Of that amount, the allocation is channelled to various priority sectors, including more than RM1 billion for road projects, including the continuation of the construction of various segments of the Central Spine Road.
In addition, RM500 million has been allocated for new water projects, especially the construction of the Machang water treatment plant; RM100 million for the Rumah Mesra Rakyat housing programme and the home assistance programme; and around RM50 million for the rubber smallholder programme under Risda. - FMT

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