KOTA BAHARU: The Sultan of Kelantan Sultan Muhammad V yesterday called on the state government to forge close cooperation with the federal government to improve the infrastructure and utility efficiency for the convenience of the people in the state.
He said among the cooperation were in the construction of the central spine road connecting Kota Baharu and Kuala Krai and in providing the people with access to clean water supply.
“Besides, the implementation of other infrastructure projects should also be carried out as planned,” he said when opening the first term of the 13th State Legislative Assembly sitting here yesterday.
The Sultan also wanted the federal government projects involving the acquisition of 8,800 hectares of land in Kelantan to be given extra focus and attention to ensure that each project could be implemented immediately.
At the same time, he also urged the state government to intensify efforts to lure investors to the state after recording a total investment of RM2.87 billion last year, which was an increase of over 170 per cent from the previous year.
“Property and energy sectors are the largest contributors to the increase of investment in the state, especially in Pasir Puteh,” he said.
As such, Sultan Muhammad also proposed to the state government to explore new areas that could be turned into tourism products, such as scuba diving activities in coral reef zones in the waters off Bachok and Sabak beach.
In his speech, he also congratulated the PAS-led state government for having retained power in Kelantan in the 13th general election and thanked the former Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat for having led the state government for 23 years.
Earlier, Ayer Lanas assemblyman Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed and Wakaf Baharu assemblyman Datuk Abdullah Che Mat Nawi, who is also State Agriculture, Biotechnology and Green Technology Committee chairman, took their oath of office before Speaker Abdullah Ya’kub.
Mustapa, together with Abdullah and Salor assemblyman Datuk Husam Musa were absent during the Kelantan assemblymen’s oath-taking ceremony last Thursday.
It is learnt that Husam, who is former state executive councillor, will not be present during the sitting as he is currently performing umrah in Mecca.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters later, Mustapa said he was prepared to become the middleman in forging closer cooperation between the state and federal governments.
Mustapa, who is International Trade and Industry Minister, said this was because the Sultan’s wishes should not be taken lightly.
“The Sultan’s wishes will be viewed seriously by the federal government because this is also the wishes of the people. We (federal government) have always wanted to strengthen our cooperation with the Kelantan government.
“We also need the cooperation from the state government to implement the many projects mentioned by the Sultan” he added.
The sitting continues today. — Bernama