PM launches Kedah Strategic Development Plan 2019-2035

ALOR STAR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak yesterday launched the Kedah Strategic Development Plan 2019-2035 as part of the Barisan Nasional’s government commitment to bring more transformation to the state.

Included in the plan is the upgrading of Sultan Abdul Halim Airport in Kepala Batas into an international airport, which will be completed in five years.

Najib said he had instructed Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) to include an aerobridge in the Langkawi International Airport upgrading project, which was announced in the 2018 Budget, to attract larger aircraft and international direct flights to the island.

He said the upgrading work on Sultan Abdul Halim Airport would complement the government’s move to transform Bukit Kayu Hitam into a logistics hub for the northern region, which would link it to southern Thailand.

He said the upgrading would allow more umrah and haj flights to depart from the airport.

“The government has clear plans, directions and vision to bring transformation to the country and also Kedah, just like the Kedah Strategic Development Plan.

“I am reiterating the commitment to fulfil all pledges for Kedah as the state needs support from the Federal Government because of its limited revenue.

“Kedah is the rice bowl of the country and we need to appreciate the contributions it has made to the nation,” he said when closing Ekspo Muafakat Kedah 2018 at Stadium Darul Aman here.

Present were his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah and state BN leaders.

Najib said the BN government had never made empty promises and always delivered what it had pledged.

Citing an example, he pointed out that until the end of January, BN had delivered 99.6 per cent of the pledges from its 13th General Election’s manifesto.

Najib said as prime minister, he wished to see every inch of the country developed to provide better living conditions for the people.

He hit out at Pakatan Harapan chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for questioning the government’s sincerity in fulfilling its pledge to develop infrastructure projects for Langkawi.

“From Feb 14 to 16, I was in Langkawi to assess the situation on the island. I had announced RM1.3 billion in infrastructure projects there.

“But, there is a 92-year-old opposition leader who alleged that the allocation is an empty promise that will never be fulfilled.

“If we can complete the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) Phase One, why can’t we fulfil our promises to Langkawi?” he asked to thunderous applause from the audience.

Najib, who had earlier closed the Terengganu Expo 2018, commended both expositions for their ability to draw an extraordinary turnout.