The federal government will build a state stadium of an international standard if BN recaptures Kelantan in the 14th general election.

Kelantan Umno chief Mustapa Mohamed said the building of the stadium would be included in the Kelantan BN election manifesto which was being drawn up.

“We will identify a suitable site to build the new stadium either in Pasir Puteh or Machang," he told reporters after laying the foundation stone for the building of the Selising Market, in Pasir Puteh today.

Also present were Kelantan Umno deputy chief Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub, who is also Rural and Regional Development Deputy Minister; Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki and Pasir Puteh Umno division chief, Zawawi Othman.

Mustapa, who is also International Trade and Industry Minister, said the building of the new stadium was to fulfil the people’s wish as the PAS-led state government had failed to keep its promise to build a new stadium in Bukit Merbau.

He said among the other matters to be included in the Kelantan BN manifesto would be the provision of recreational facilities for young people to fill their free time.

Meanwhile, Mustapa who is also the Federal Action Council chairman for Kelantan, said the federal government had never sidelined Kelantan although it was ruled by the opposition.

He noted that the federal government had approved among the biggest allocation for Kelantan each year to the point of exceeding the mandatory amount under the Federal Constitution.

"Among the latest projects are the creation of public parks in Pasir Puteh and Tanah Merah with an allocation of RM10 million and building of the Kuala Krai District Council office at a cost of RM5.5 million,” he said,

He added that the building of the new market in Selising at a cost of RM5 million would provide a more conducive place for 70 traders when ready, expected to be next year.

- Bernama