PADANG TERAP: Kedah Umno has lauded Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's willingness to listen to the wish list of states under opposition parties.
State Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said Anwar has proven his statesmanship by demonstrating his commitment to the four states ruled by Perikatan Nasional.
"To me, the prime minister is a leader who prioritises the people's development issues based on his work visits to the opposition-ruled states.
"He has visited Kelantan, Perlis and Terengganu and on May 4, he will be coming to Kedah to attend the Madani Aidilfitri open house.
"Prior to the open house in the evening, the prime minister has agreed to attend a briefing on Kedah's development by the state government.
"The prime minister has agreed to attend the briefing at Wisma Darul Aman, the state administrative building and not the federal government's building," he told reporters at the Padang Terap Umno division's Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house in Padang Kerasak.
Mahdzir, who is also Padang Terap Umno division chief, praised Anwar for putting aside political differences despite being under constant criticism from Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
"Everyone knows that the MB in many of his statements had attacked Anwar personally, as well as the unity government at federal level.
"Yet, I believe the PM is not bothered by the criticisms and willing to personally listen to the wish list of the state government comprising various sectors such as agriculture, industrial, fisheries, padi farming and infrastructure development in Kedah.
"If you take into account things from an emotional point of view, then the PM would not have come... it is good that he has decided to visit Kedah anyway," he said.
On Tuesday, Sanusi had said the state government was ready to welcome the prime minister for the state-level Madani Aidilfitri Open House 2024 to be held on May 4.
Sanusi was reported as saying that Anwar is also expected to attend a briefing session on the state's wish list at Wisma Darul Aman.
Kedah is one of the six states that are holding the Madani Aidilfitri open houses on April 18 and May 9.
The Madani Aidilfitri open houses are to be jointly organised with the respective state governments as the hosts, and selected ministries.