ALOR SETAR: The Federal Government's move for a more balanced state allocation will pave the way for Kedah to achieve progress on par with other developing states.
State Health, Rural Development, Religion and State-Linked Companies committee chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh said the issue was one of the six key thrusts presented at the mid-term Review of the 11th Malaysia Plan (11 MP) yesterday and reflected the government’s commitment to such causes.
He said the move also proved that the Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad took account proposals made by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir who suggested that allocation for development should not be based on per capita population.
"This is the true concept of federalism. It gives the equal opportunity for states like Kedah to catch up with more developed states like Selangor. I believe in 20 years, Kedah will no longer be lagged behind.
"The commitment shown by the Federal Government gives new hope to Kedah which for so many years has been making a lot of sacrifices as the Rice Bowl of the country, apart from being a source of water supply for the neighbouring states.
"A fair and balanced state allocation is able to bridge poverty and development gaps, simultaneously boosting Kedah's true potential," he said when contacted by NSTP here today.
Dr Mahathir when presenting the mid-term review of the 11MP (2016-2020) stressed on the importance of moving towards a balanced regional development as part of the nation’s efforts to strengthen Malaysia's economic base and the people's prosperity.
The prime minister said efforts to strengthen Malaysia's economic base and the people's prosperity were based on six thrusts.
He also remarked that governance within the government needed improvement and the aspect of transparency would be enhanced to prevent corruption and eradicate power abuse.