Perak appeals for development projects to continue - The Star

PUTRAJAYA: April 18, 2008 by Mazwin Nik Anis

Perak has appealed to the Federal Government to continue with development projects planned for the state, including the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER).

Mentri Besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin said several infrastructure projects such as airport and port expansion, the proposed pipeline project for natural gas to be channelled to the Manjung, Seri Iskandar and Jelapang industrial areas must go on.

On the NCER, he said, the Pakatan Rakyat-led government was optimistic about the Federal Government’s plans in bringing in more progress to the participating states through agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and human capital development.

“We believe good co-operation and understanding between Perak and the Federal Government will be good for the people and we are prepared to work closely for the rakyat’s benefit," he said.

“I have assured Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that we will co-operate to ensure the success of all development programmes in the state,” he told reporters Friday after calling on the Prime Minister at his office here.

Nizar said during the hour-long meeting, Abdullah had voiced his concern over the double-trekking project and wanted Perak to give full co-operation to ensure the project could be implemented as planned.

“I assured the Prime Minister on this because we too want to see the benefits of the double-trekking project.

“We have also asked for his assurance that small infrastructure projects worth RM52mil approved by the Housing and Local Government Ministry prior to the general election will not be held back,” he said.

He said Abdullah had advised the Perak government to continue with the positive things the Federal Government had initiated as the rakyat and investors would certainly benefit from it, adding he had also invited the Prime Minister to visit the state soon.

Nizar said he also touched on the issue of the Internal Security Act, saying there should be some form of consideration by the Federal Government to re-look the Act, adding it was the wish of the people of the state for the Act to be reviewed.