Federal Govt To Continue Projects In Opposition-controlled States - PM - Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR, May 12 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the federal government would maintain its relations with five states controlled by Pakatan Rakyat, the opposition coalition, for continuity in the country's socio-economic development.

The prime minister said projects involving basic amenities, including in opposition-held Kelantan, Kedah, Penang, Perak and Selangor, such as water and electricity supply, poverty eradication and public security would be continued.

"Projects of national interest and which will help stimulate economic growth such as tourism, higher learning institutions, ports and airports will also be continued," he said in a written reply to Chow Kon Yeow (DAP-Tanjong) in the Dewan Rakyat here Monday.

Abdullah said the relations would ensure that the projects earmarked for the states would be implemented on schedule.

"The federal government will continue to shoulder its responsibility to all states as enshrined in the Federal Constitution," he said.

Likewise, Abdullah called on all state governments to cooperate with the federal government, especially in identifying suitable land for projects and to speed up the approval for land acquisition and planning, to enable the projects to be implemented smoothly.

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