GEORGE TOWN – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has rubbished the notion that his administration supports Penang’s first-ever LRT project simply because he is a Penangite, as he stressed that the Madani government focuses on implementing crucial public projects in all Malaysian states.
He said that Putrajaya has approved RM1 billion in funds for padi farmers in Kedah under the Muda Agricultural Development Authority for programmes to help farmers increase padi production. He added that the focus is on Kedah padi farmers as they are among the poorest in the country.
Meanwhile in Kelantan, the government has provided allocations for three flood mitigation projects in Rantau Panjang and Kuala Krai that will be carried out in various phases from this year until 2027.
“(Those projects need to be implemented) as the poor community in Kelantan living near the rivers are expected to face floods up to three times per year over the next eight years.
“Therefore I have asked the ministries to change their policies where basic problems faced by the people have to be addressed despite funding constraints.
“I have asked them to make some adjustments where they would have to cut other allocations (for other projects) – including those for Penang government – so that they can focus on public projects that would address (existing) problems that have been affecting public’ safety and livelihood,” he said in his speech at the launching ceremony for the Mutiara Line LRT project at Bandar Sri Pinang, here.
Additionally, Anwar also said that he is unperturbed by claims of him focusing too much on Penang because he wants to cater to his ally DAP and the Chinese community, as he emphasised he priority, which is fulfilling the needs of all states in the country.
“If I were to listen to the rants of these ‘seditionists’, no one will benefit. (Plus), the country will be in decline,” he added.
The Mutiara Line LRT project on Penang island would involve the construction of 21 stations in strategic locations, which include a provisional station at Silicon Island – which is being reclaimed on the southern coast of the island.
One of the stations – the McCallum station – will be an interchange station that leads to both Komtar and Penang Sentral in Butterworth.
Construction works for the LRT project will commence at the lot of land at Bandar Sri Pinang, with the project expected to be completed in 2031.
Commenting on the LRT project, Anwar stressed that the project should connect both the mainland and island in accordance with public wishes. – January 11, 2025
