Opposition reps to get allocation: Mukhriz
ALOR STAR: The Kedah government is prepared to provide allocations to opposition assemblymen to ensure that people in the constituencies are not marginalised.
New Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir ( pix) said the matter had been discussed in the Kedah Pakatan Harapan (PH) presidential council meeting yesterday, but the method of granting the provision would be decided later.
“Previously, when we were the Opposition, we raised the matter to the Barisan Nasional (BN). Now that we are the ruling party, we will consider this but we need to look into further details before making any decision.
“However, the most important thing is to ensure that the people living in areas won by the Opposition are not left behind or punished just because they had voted for other parties,” he told reporters here yesterday.
Earlier, Mukhriz clocked in at Wisma Darul Aman at 8am to begin his duties as the new mentri besar.
On allocations as approved in the Kedah 2018 Budget, Mukriz said it would be reviewed after taking into consideration the situation, as the state government did not have much revenue.
“The state is among the poorest states in terms of development, education and so on. I hope after this the federal government will pay more attention to Kedah,” he said.
Mukhriz added that all state and government-linked company projects involving more than RM100,000 would be postponed and reviewed.
The projects include the upgrade of five water treatment plants in Pelubang, Jenun Baru, Bukit Selambau, Sungai Limau and Lubuk Buntar Lama which had been approved by the previous BN government.
“I learned that some contracts for these water treatment plants were signed two days before the 14th general election and I will seek legal advice to determine if the contracts are enforceable or not,” he said.
However, Mukhriz said he would try to fulfil the first 100 days pledge of the PH manifesto, which was to resolve water supply problems by first identifying the root cause.
In another development, he said the appointment of the 10 state executive councillors, comprising representatives of the four component parties under PH, would be announced soon.
“Under the PH coalition, Parti Keadilan Rakyat won the largest number of seats and as such the party will have the most number of executive councillors.
“As the Kedah state assembly is divided, I will have to find the best mechanism in selecting the speaker and deputy speaker.”
Mukhriz hoped that the government and the Opposition would continue to work together in serving the people. – Bernama