PUTRAJAYA: Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor should prioritise state development and not dwell on the absence of Development Action Council meetings, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
Saifuddin, the co-chair of the council, in a sarcastic tone said he would delegate significant projects planned by the Kedah government to Sanusi while he handled minor matters under the federal government's purview.
He said despite the absence of such meetings, development initiatives in Kedah could still progress under Sanusi's administration.
"I believed I had provided Sanusi with ample time to develop Kedah. I prefer to entrust him with significant projects while I oversee more minor matters, such as water treatment plants and underprivileged schools in the state.
"Let Sanusi focus on initiatives like Greater Kedah, the Kulim Airport, and the proposed racing track. These are substantial projects that demand his attention," he said at a press conference.
Acknowledging Sanusi's role in Kedah's economic development, Saifuddin reiterated his belief that Sanusi's priority lay in Kedah's progress, irrespective of the absence of Development Action Council meetings.
"I respect his role as menteri besar in developing Kedah's economy. Even if there has not been a single meeting, whatever it's called in the name of the action council, I believe Sanusi's focus is on Kedah's progress. I do not want to disturb him."
Earlier, Sanusi expressed disappointment over Saifuddin's alleged reluctance to convene a Development Action Council meeting.
Sanusi claimed that Saifuddin has not called for a meeting to discuss federal government infrastructure projects in Kedah with the state government since the council was established.
However, Saifuddin said he decided not to call for a meeting due to Sanusi's failure to show decorum in meetings that he had attended at the federal level.