Najib pledges more projects for Kedah

> ‘I don’t want the state to lag behind others’

PENDANG: Caretaker Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak yesterday stated his determination to assist Kedah so that the state will not continue to be left out of the mainstream development in the country.

He said Kedah should receive aid from the federal government to continue to grow as the state had limited resources and was depending merely on the agricultural sector.

“If the mandate is given to us (Barisan Nasional), we will continue to assist the state.

“We will provide many other projects to shore up the state’s economy, including the Bukit Kayu Hitam Special Border Economic Zone, upgrading the airport in Alor Star and an additional water treatment plant,”he said when launching the Pendang Hospital Construction project yesterday.

Present were caretaker Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, caretaker Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya and caretaker Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.

Najib said the state will also benefit from the country’s strengthened economy.

“This year, the country’s economy is expected to grow further in line with the recognition of international bodies such as the World Bank.”

Najib said the federal government is committed to implementing inclusive-based development to ensure no one is left out.

“This is BN’s politics, which is to help the people, unlike the politics of the Opposition.”

On the RM210 million Pendang Hospital project, Najib said construction would begin on May 7.

Najib said he had consulted caretaker Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam and Public Works Department director-general Datuk Seri Dr Roslan Md Taha to ensure that the appointment of the contractor is expedited.

“I didn’t want to come to Pendang empty handed, because I know the residents want a new hospital.

“I wanted to find the best possible way to appoint a contractor in a short period of time so that we can launch the hospital project.”