Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak is arrogant for threatening to continue logging if the federal government does not pay RM100 million compensation annually to the Kedah government.

Kedah Umno liaison chairperson Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah said Azizan was ungrateful as the federal government had given many forms of assistance to the Kedah government.

"Azizan has the nerve to threaten the federal government. Such attitude does not befit that of a menteri besar. If it is true that former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad made a verbal agreement on the compensation, then talks must be held to settle the issue.

"Azizan has brought up two issues, RM100 million compensation and logging and is trying to justify excessive logging," he said commenting on Azizan's statement yesterday.

Ahmad Bashah said Azizan raised the issue of compensation to deflect the people's criticism of excessive logging in Padang Terap and Baling districts.

On problems plaguing Kolej Universiti Insaniah (KUIN), he said that Azizan's uncaring attitude symbolises the weakness of the PAS-led Kedah government.

"Staff of KUIN are suffering with problems including loan payments to banks and non-subscription to the Employment Provident Fund (EPF).

"How to settle the problems if the parties don't want to be responsible," he said adding it would not be settled without the intervention of the menteri besar.

- Bernama