'K'tan, T'ganu got more federal funds despite being opposition states'

Summary

• PM Anwar Ibrahim denies claims that opposition-led states are sidelined in federal allocations, pointing out that funding for Kelantan and Terengganu has actually increased significantly in recent years.

• Anwar attended various events in Kelantan today, including a special development meeting with state menteri besar, state excos, as well as two federal ministers.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has denied claims that opposition-led states are sidelined in federal allocations, pointing out that funding for Kelantan and Terengganu has actually increased significantly in recent years.

Speaking at the state-level Madani Aidilfitri 2025 celebration in Pantai Irama, Bachok, today, Anwar said the PAS-led state of Kelantan received RM762 million in federal funds last year, a 30 percent jump from RM588 million in 2023.

Likewise, allocations to Terengganu rose 28 percent to RM2.02 billion in 2024 from RM1.57 billion the year before.

“This increase includes grants under Marris (Malaysian Road Records Information System), Tahap (Economic, Infrastructure and Welfare Development-Based Grants), per capita grants, compassionate money, and other allocations under the joint list,” he said, as quoted by Bernama. 

Anwar added that these allocations form the main source of revenue for both states, especially Kelantan and Terengganu, which only generate around RM500 million and RM250 million respectively from their own sources.

In addition, he said the federal government has allocated RM25 million and RM60 million to Kelantan and Terengganu respectively this year under the poverty eradication programme.

MB: Federalism spirit gives hope for projects

Kelantan Menteri Besar Nassuruddin Daud expressed confidence that proposals submitted to Putrajaya will receive due consideration.

“Alhamdulillah, several projects that are a priority to the Kelantan government were presented to the prime minister.

“InsyaAllah, I am optimistic that, in the spirit of strong federalism, these proposals will be given due consideration by the federal government for the welfare of the people of Kelantan,” he said, according to Bernama, in his speech at the same event.

He added that the cooperation between the state and federal governments should be built on partnership, not rivalry.

“The state and federal governments should not be competing against one another but move in tandem to achieve the people’s agenda.

“We in Kelantan go with the strategic plan of ’Penghayatan Membangun Bersama Islam’ and are always committed to preserving unity and harmony among the people to ensure the mature and prosperous relationship with the federal government for the benefit of the people,” he said.

Nassuruddin also called for the continued protection of national harmony and religious values.

“The rise and fall of Islam’s future is our shared responsibility to be shouldered so that its obligations can be fulfilled in the best way possible.

“I wish to express my highest gratitude and appreciation to the prime minister and his delegation for visiting Kelantan and for organising the Madani celebration to draw close to the people in this state,” he added.

Closed-door meeting on development

Earlier today, Bernama reported that Anwar also chaired a special meeting on Kelantan state development at Kota Darulnaim, which was attended by Nassuruddin, several state executive councillors and senior state officials.

Joining Anwar were Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, Chief Secretary to the Government Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, and Public Service Department director-general Wan Ahmad Dahlan Abdul Aziz.

Separately, Anwar said the federal government has decided to expedite flood mitigation projects in Kelantan to address the state's perennial flooding problem, which disrupts the lives of people.

The prime minister said this includes exploring new methods not only to tackle the flood issue but also to resolve water shortages during drought seasons.

Anwar stated that he had decided that phased flood mitigation projects, despite the high cost, must be expedited.

“We don't want to continue witnessing yearly floods, with the flood situation remaining unmanageable while governments come and go, including the federal government.

“That is why I have asked Petra (Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry), as well as the Economy and Finance Ministries, to look into several new approaches. In this state, sometimes the water overflows excessively, causing floods, and then in the following months, it’s completely dry, with no water.

“Allah has given us strength, effort and technology — can’t the overflowing flood waters be stored for the dry season? Of course it can,” he said in his speech at the same event, as quoted by Bernama.

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