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KUALA LUMPUR – Accusations that the federal government is neglecting states under Perikatan Nasional (PN) are unfounded, Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli said today while pointing a finger back at the opposition for not doing enough to help uplift the rakyat in the states it governs.
Addressing the matter in Parliament, Rafizi noted how PN-held Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu are three of the five states to receive 50% of the overall development expenditure under Budget 2023 – the other two being Sabah and Sarawak.
These states, he said, are also among those with the country’s highest poverty rates.
Rafizi then went on to point out that Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu are also the top three states with the lowest applications for the federal government’s People’s Income Initiative meant to assist the B40.
In this regard, he said PN lawmakers should work together with the government in promoting programmes that can help the poor.
“The issue (of neglect by the federal government) as being played up by MPs from the opposite bench does not arise,” he said today.
“When we allocated up to 50% of our development expenditure to these states, I was hoping MPs in PN would welcome the government’s effort to help poor families.
“Allocations have been given, programmes have been introduced. Now is the time for leaders in PN-held states to ensure that economic plans at the state level are implemented properly, and not merely seek federal funds.”
Rafizi was responding to questions from Muhammad Fawwaz Mohamad Jan (Permatang Pauh-PN) on Putrajaya’s efforts to reduce the income disparity and economic inequality between states.
Later in a supplementary question, R.S.N. Rayer (Jelutong-PH) had similarly asked whether the government will be focusing economic programmes in PN-held states, considering the high number of poverty-stricken households there.
To this, Rafizi reiterated that federal funds and initiatives have already been offered, but lamented the poor reception by residents there.
To address this, he said he has instructed his ministry to conduct a special meeting soon with leaders from 20 districts identified as being the country’s poorest, which include those in Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu.
“They will be called to sit with me to discuss how they can help the needy families and to take up opportunities offered by the government – and not just to make noise on TikTok.” – The Vibes, March 7, 2023