Mustapa hopes new federal government will treat Kelantan fairly

KOTA BARU: Kelantan Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed said today he hoped that the Pakatan Harapan (PH) new federal government would accord fair treatment to Kelantan, especially in terms of development.
The Kelantan Umno Liaison Committee chairman said that during the BN reign, the federal government did not marginalise Kelantan but channelled various allocations and implemented development projects to spur the state's economic growth.
"The projects which were approved by the previous government, such as the East Coast Rail Link project, will be in the hands of the new government but I think the approved projects will continue to be implemented as the allocations have been approved.
"I hope that the new government will treat Kelantan fairly as we lag in terms of development. The previously-approved projects are for the people," he told a press conference after a meeting with the Kelantan Umno Liaison Committee and BN electoral candidates here.
Asked whether the BN, as the opposition, would work with the newly-formed PAS-led state government, Mustapa said it was up to the party leadership as the cooperation between the federal and the state governments had taken place before, particularly on Islamic affairs.
He said the BN would act as a pressure group against the PH new federal government which had made various promises in its GE14 manifesto.
Mustapa also congratulated PAS for having retained power in Kelantan for another term.
On the BN's defeat, he said the coalition would exercise self-reflection and continue to be steadfast in restoring the struggle for religion, race and country. — Bernama