ISKANDAR PUTERI: Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin has denied that his ongoing series of visits to Parliamentary constituencies in Johor is part of a bid to gain popularity and political mileage.
He said the visits are an opportunity for him to monitor the state government’s development agendas, projects and pro-rakyat programmes that are being, or are set to be, implemented in the constituencies.
"During the visits, commitments and touch points contained in Budget 2017 were announced and implemented.
"(This includes), for instance, land acquisition for building the RM54.49 million Johor Affordable Housing Scheme (RMMJ), totalling 229.753 acres (92.98ha) in various locations.
"(And) road construction, upgrading and maintenance of road network projects throughout Johor, are also given focus," Khaled told the state assembly when replying to a question from Suhaimi Salleh (Kukup).
He said the allegations that his visits to constituencies were political in nature came from the Opposition.
Khaled cited an announcement he made for new religious schools in Johor during one particular visit, saying that such a move shows that he was not seeking popularity.
"The claims were made by (the Opposition) – if not, they would not be called ‘the opposition’.
"(Sticking to the new religious schools issue), once the design of the schools is approved, it will undergo a tender process. These projects will be completed in Aug.
“Such things are not done for political mileage," he stressed.
Khaled's latest series of visits began on Jan 3 this year, and have covered 22 Parliamentary constituencies so far.