Federal govt approved almost all Kelantan development project applications - MB

KOTA BARU: Almost all applications for development and infrastructure projects submitted by the Kelantan state government have been approved by the federal government so far, said Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud.

He said the approvals were the result of discussions and close cooperation between federal and state government agencies in identifying and resolving development issues in the areas concerned.

"Development and infrastructure issues that need to be prioritised require joint decisions. Through discussions, we can identify the actual problems on the ground.

"There are no problems that cannot be resolved, as all issues can be addressed through discussions, and relations between federal and state government agencies in Kelantan are also very good," he said.

He was replying to a supplementary question from Saizol Ismail (Pas-Salor) on the form of cooperation between the federal and state governments in increasing the people's income during the Kelantan state legislative assembly sitting at the Kota Darulnaim Complex.

Among the projects approved following the discussions were the 400m extension of the runway at Sultan Ismail Petra Airport (LTSIP) in Pengkalan Chepa and the extension of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) from Kota Baru to Rantau Panjang.

Nassuruddin said comprehensive infrastructure development was important to attract investment, open up industrial areas and create more job opportunities for the people.

He said the application to extend the ECRL route to Rantau Panjang, which borders southern Thailand, had also received a positive response following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's announcement that the federal government had agreed to the proposal.

"If these projects we have discussed are implemented, many changes will take place. We have received approval for almost everything we requested, including the Lebir Dam.

"I would like to express my gratitude because once these projects are completed, job opportunities will also be created," he said.