Rm500m More To Overcome Kelantan S Water Woes Pm

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Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today announced an additional allocation of RM500 million to resolve the water supply issue in Kelantan, which has been beset by a lack of clean water.
He said the latest allocation was the result of discussions between the federal and Kelantan governments earlier.
“We discussed with the Kelantan government ways to overcome the lack of clean water. I said we cannot meet a request that is too high.
“So, we start a project, but it should be jointly undertaken and managed according to the proper channels,” he said.
He was speaking at the ‘Temu Anwar Kelantan’ programme at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) in Bachok, which was attended by over 5,000 students from institutions of higher learning in Kelantan.
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi previously announced the government was providing a RM1 billion allocation to Kelantan to overcome the state’s water supply problems beginning this year.
Meanwhile, a degree course student of UMK Kota Campus, Nur Syaqirah Abu Bakar, lauded the government’s efforts to overcome Kelantan’s water issue, pointing out that she and her friends frequently faced water supply problems on campus.
“Sometimes in a week there were five to six occasions of supply problems like water turning murky and slow in the campus.
“When these problems happened I would turn up for class late and this affected my studies,” she said.
For trader Noor Kartini Awang, 35, the prime minister’s decision to give the extra allocation showed the federal government’s concern for all states regardless of their political inclinations.
“It’s very good and I am delighted with the announcement because Kelantan people have been grappling with the water supply issue,” she said.
Cow breeder Abdullah Hamid, 63, hoped the federal government would continue with its efforts to help Kelantan so the people could enjoy infrastructure and development in line with the country’s progress.
‘Amicable discussions to help the people’
At a separate event, Anwar said the federal government does not deny Kelantan people their rights although the state is administered by the federal opposition.
He was speaking at a ceremony to hand over the prime minister’s contribution of RM7.76 million for a project to complete the At-Taqwa Alor Pasir mosque in Tumpat today.
He said despite political differences, negotiations and meetings were held regularly with regard to allocations for the state, especially for religious and welfare matters.
“Amicable discussions between the federal and state governments are very necessary to help the people.
“As the prime minister, I do not want to see the people suffering from cruelty, being denied their rights, and sent to prison on false charges although I myself had been a victim before.
“Now we need to engage in proper negotiations and resolve whatever we can so as not to burden the people,” he said.
According to him, Kelantan was among the states which received the highest allocations under the Madani Budget.
“The issues of water supply and floods are also given priority because they affect the people.
“And an allocation of RM103,863,258 has also been given to imam, bilal, siak, and religious teachers in the state, including those for Kelas Agama dan Fardu Ain (Kafa).
“In the Madani Budget, all projects are continued, including for water catchment, upgrading of the Pak Badol to Melor road, construction of the Palekbang bridge, and several new projects for Sungai Golok,” he added.
He said apart from this, aid for Sekolah Agama Rakyat (SAR) would also be given fairly regardless of which group they belong to.
- Bernama

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