The government is aware of the poverty rate in Kelantan and will continue to work hard to reduce poverty in the state, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
According to Bernama, the prime minister said the federal government has allocated RM124 million for the 590,000 Malaysian Family Assistance (BKM) recipients in the state to ensure that the economy in Kelantan is fully mobilised.
He also revealed that the government has targeted Tok Bali as a new growth centre to reach the investment target of RM2.3 billion, at the same time, generating 4,200 new jobs and 270 entrepreneurial opportunities.
“Tok Bali is targeted to become a new growth centre through special tax incentives and high-impact projects implemented by the East Coast Economic Region Development Council, namely the Tok Bali Industrial Park, Tok Bali Integrated Fisheries Park and external infrastructure for the Tok Bali port,” he said.
Ismail also said that the government will be building a multi-purpose digital complex with a sports entertainment concept, involving a cost of RM6 million, at a 23-ha site in Ketereh.
He also said that the Rural Development Ministry has allocated RM2.6 billion for 88 projects in Kelantan and among them, 64 of them were extension projects and 24 new projects.
“The Central Spine Road package of 191km costing RM7.7 billion, connecting Gua Musang and Kuala Krai, is expected to be completed in 2026 and will facilitate people’s travel and improve the socio-economic status of the local population,” he said.
In addition, Ismail said Kelantan will also benefit from the East Coast Rail Link Project, which will connect Kota Baru to Port Klang as well as have two stations – the passenger and cargo station in Pasir Puteh and the passenger station in Tunjong, Kota Baru.
Besides that, Ismail said the upgrading project of Sultan Ismail Petra Airport is expected to be completed in 2025 and will have a passenger capacity between 1.5 million to four million per year, as well as the construction of the Palekbang Bridge in Tumpat which is scheduled to be completed in 2025.
He said these will be a catalyst for new development in the state.
“As for the health sector, a total of 12 construction projects for health clinics and staff quarters are expected to be completed this year, while two more hospital projects under construction, in Gua Musang and the Bachok, encompassing 76 beds, are expected to be completed next year.”
Meanwhile, Ismail said the government has always listened to the grievances of Keluarga Malaysia over the increase in the prices of goods, especially food, and that to address this, it will be spending RM1.1 billion on chicken and egg subsidies and RM4 billion for packet cooking oil.
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