Minister: Selangor should welcome federal projects

GEORGE TOWN: The Selangor government should welcome federal projects that will bring benefit to the people, instead of freezing them, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop.

He described the state government’s plan to stop all federal projects was illogical and an example of a bad leadership.

“The Selangor government should be pleased that the federal government is implementing projects in the state. This is how they should react, and even ask for more. On the contrary, they said ‘we do not want you (federal government) to do them’.

“The federal government wants to carry out these projects with a good ‘nawaitu’ (intention) for social justice because everyone can benefit from an infrastructure, but they do not allow us to do it for some reasons or issues.

“This is not logical and does not ref lect a good leadership,” he told reporters THIS after presenting the 1Malaysia Book Voucher ( BB1M) to Universiti Sains Malaysia students yesterday.

Selangor is considering halting all federal projects following Thursday’s High Court decision to disallow the Sepang Municipal Council from removing the controversial Automated Enforcement System (AES) cameras, said Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.

The state has ordered the State Economic Planning Unit to prepare a list of federal projects on highways and Prasarana’s Light Rail Transit ( LRT) project for review by the state executive council following the court decision.

Meanwhile, the Selangor AntiFraud Coalition (GAPS) said the Selangor government should give priority to the well- being and welfare of the people and their right to benefit from the infrastructure built by the federal government, instead of politicking it.

Its chairman Hamidzon Khairuddin criticised the state government’s lack of concern on the well-being and welfare of the people for the projects were

The Selangor government should be pleased that the federal government is implementing projects in the state. This is how they should react, and even ask for more. Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department

developed in the interest of the people and not for political expediency.

“If the Selangor government carry out its threat to halt federal projects, the people will suffer and the state will go backward and lag behind,” he said. — Bernama