Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has dismissed allegations by a PAS leader that the federal government has long obstructed development efforts in Kelantan and neglected the East Coast state.
Zahid, who also serves as Minister of Rural and Regional Development, described the claims as baseless and politically motivated.
He emphasized that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim consistently announces development allocations for Kelantan during his visits to the state.
“One of the most recent examples, which I personally witnessed, was the approval of RM6.6 million to repair a collapsed slope,” Zahid told Berita Harian.
The incident refers to a slope failure near the Bukit Merah water treatment plant, which occurred on November 26 last year following heavy rainfall. On July 1, the Kelantan state government publicly expressed gratitude to the federal government for approving the allocation to repair the site.
Zahid further stated that the federal government regularly extends assistance to Kelantan, particularly during the monsoon season when the state is frequently affected by severe flooding.
Referring to PAS vice-president Amar Nik Abdullah, Zahid urged party leaders to verify their facts with accurate internal briefings.
“He should seek proper information from his leadership before making public statements. Misleading the public with inaccurate claims is irresponsible,” he said.
Amar had earlier alleged in a Facebook post that Kelantan remained the only state in Malaysia without a proper highway and accused the federal government of delaying the implementation of critical development projects in the state.
However, Zahid’s remarks reflect the federal administration’s stance that Kelantan is not being sidelined and continues to receive necessary attention and support.
