‘Budget designed to benefit people without discrimination’
KUALA LUMPUR: The three opposition-run states have received vital boost from the Federal Government with specific measures to lift their standards in the 2018 Budget.
Penang, Selangor and Kelantan will get airport expansion projects, a specialist clinic, upgraded hospital facilities and toll abolishment.
These are on top of other initiatives that would benefit everyone nationwide.
Kelantan local government, housing and sports committee chairman Datuk Abdul Fattah Mahmood said the expansion of Sultan Ismail Petra airport and the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project would be the major impetus to drive the state forward.
“The Kelantan government would like to express our gratitude for the two major projects for the state.
“We hope that both can be implemented soonest so that the people can enjoy the benefits,” he said.
Fattah said the projects were important as tourists preferred Kelantan as a transit point before their getaway to other east coast states.
In Penang, state Federal Action Council chairman Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Osman said the budget proposals proved that the Federal Government had not sidelined any opposition states in national development.
He said the proposed expansion of the Penang International Airport, as well as the RM500 million allocation for the construction of a specialist clinic and additional wards at Penang Hospital and Balik Pulau Hospital showed that the budget was designed to benefit the people.
“It is a budget that shows that the country’s wealth is shared with everyone.
“This disproves claims by Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng (of the state being discriminated by the Federal Government).
“This proves that Malaysia is not a country on the verge of bankruptcy as the government can set aside huge allocations,” he said.
Zainal said the Special Border Economic Zone in Bukit Kayu Hitam was set to be a game-changer for the northern region, under the Northern Corridor Economic Region.
“This will indirectly benefit Penang,” he said.
In Selangor, Federal Shah Alam parliamentary coordinator Datuk Azhari Shaari said residents in Shah Alam, Klang and nearby areas were overjoyed that the Federal Government decided to abolish toll payments at Batu Tiga and Sungai Rasau.
“I am thankful after hearing the budget announcement. The abolishment means that the burden for motorists has been reduced,” he said.
These measures were announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak when presenting the budget in Parliament yesterday.
He said the government would take into account the needs of all Malaysians, regardless of their background.
Apart from projects for Kelantan and Penang airports, he also announced the expansion of Sandakan International Airport and the upgrading of Langkawi International Airport.
“A new airport will be built in Mukah, Sarawak,” he added.
Najib said the government would allocate RM1 billion to the Public Transport Fund under the budget.
The allocation, he said, would be used to upgrade existing public transport system, besides obtaining new assets, including buses and taxis. Datuk Seri Zainal Abidin Osman