Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said the implementation of various development projects in Kelantan is proof that the BN government is fair to all of the people regardless of political affiliation.

The prime minister said, besides not wanting the people of Kelantan to lag behind, the government is committed to develop the state to be on par with other states in the country.

"My government’s slogan is of people’s first and performance must be prioritised, I also state that our development must be inclusive, must touch every corner of our country from the border of Siam (Thailand) to the Philippines’ border. We must bring development to all Malaysians," he said.

He said this when officiating the groundbreaking ceremony of the Sungai Kelantan River Basin Integrated Development Project, costing RM572 million, today.

Also present were Kelantan Menteri Besar Ahmad Yakob, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Wan Jaafar and International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed.

"We don’t want anyone to be left behind, this is based on the religious principle in Islam that when we rule, we have to be a fair leader to all, meaning that we must not do injustice, we must be fair.

"That’s why I am different in my stand from my predecessor, a leader for 22 years who neglected Kelantan because of political differences, but I hold (to the principle) that despite differences in politics, we must be fair to all,” he said to the applause from thousands of people present.

Najib said the Sungai Kelantan PLSB project was among some of the major projects being and would be implemented in the state for the benefit of the people.

He said the project, which would commence tomorrow and was expected to be completed by May 2021, will be able to mitigate the flood problem faced by the people every year as well as eliminate massive floods such as the ones that took place in 2014.

“Looking at the floods that took place in 2014, it is not the normal flood water but also the mud that caused the people to suffer, I'm not willing to see Kelantan people suffering like that," he said.

Hence, Najib said the National Transformation policy would be able to be implemented jointly with a responsible government policy and strengthening of the country's finances.

"If the country's finances are not strong and unstable, how can such a big project be implemented by the federal government in Kelantan and other states," he said.

Najib also said the government will undertake a flood mitigation project along Sungai Golok to reduce the effects of the state’s perennial flooding issue.

“The flood mitigation project in the Golok river basin is another project altogether but it is also in our list. We will do it when it's time, and the Irrigation and Drainage Department is carrying out a study on this project to be implemented,” he said.

Last December, Deputy Natural Resources and Environment Minister Hamim Samuri was quoted as saying that the federal government would implement flood mitigation project costing RM300 million, along Sungai Golok in Tumpat this year to address the stagnant flood waters in the area.

Hamim also said that the 26-km long flood mitigation project would commence at Pengkalan Kubor to Kuala Jambu in Tumpat.

Commenting on PLSB, Najib said the government was also considering to implement the Phase 2 and 3 of the project to mitigate the impact of the disaster among 100,000 residents in Tumpat, Pasir, Kota Bharu and Machang who were affected by the floods.

“The flood prevention problem will not be fully resolved unless we implement Phase 2 an d 3 and also to address the cause which is the upstream part of the river.

“This will be our future consideration, subject to our financial capability. Our commitment to Kelantan is indeed high and we will do it based on our promise to the people of Kelantan,” he said.

The Sungai Kelantan PLSB Phase 1 project, is expected to prevent more than 100,000 villagers in Tumpat, Pasir Mas, Kota Bahru, Tanah Merah and Machang from being evacuated due to floods and also protect the infrastructure and public property along the 10-km stretch of the river bank.

-- BERNAMA

Another development project to be implemented in the state is the expansion of Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Pengkalan Chepa to accommodate four million passengers from 1.3 million people at present.

“The bridge (Sultan Yahya Petra) is already six lanes, previously MB (Kelantan menteri besar) complained to go to the office takes half an hour, now 10 minutes only, because this bridge was built by the federal government, Kelantan MB also benefitted, this is our government," he said.

The prime minister said the the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) connecting Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang with Port Klang, Selangor will see the state's economic growth continuing to grow and give benefits to the people once it is completed.

He hoped all parties, including the state government would give full cooperation to ensure the implementation of all these development projects.

Najib is in Kelantan for a one-day working visit.

He is scheduled to meet with federal and state civil servants at the Wisma Persekutuan compound in Jalan Bayam.

Najib is also expected to meet with the Kelantan Umno liaison committee at a hotel in Jalan Mahmood here, before attending a meeting with Kelantan NGOs at a hotel in Jalan Post Office Lama.

- Bernama