Najib vows to continue bringing transformation to Kelantan

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is determined to continue bringing transformation to Kelantan by implementing many more development projects for the people's benefit.

He said the development projects for the good of the people and help to boost the economy of Kelantan, included the construction of Bachok Hospital and East Coast Rail Line (ECRL).

"The government also provides other facilities such as a new hospital in Kuala Krai, worth over RM300 million, which is under construction.

"We build a hospital, university and modern railway for the people of Kelantan because I love the people of Kelantan," he said when launching the 'Jom Bantu Rakyat' programme and ground breaking ceremony of the Bachok Hospital in Kampung Bator, Jelawat, here today.

Also present were International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam and Bachok Division UMNO chief Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin.

The Prime Minister said the government had increased the allocation of up to RM12.11 billion in the Eleventh Malaysia Plan (11MP) to bring about these changes.

He said this showed a significant increase compared to the allocation under the 8MP of RM3.37 billion followed by RM6.9 billion in the 9MP and RM5.6 billion in the 10MP.

"The previous leader before me, no need to mention names, he said the people of Kelantan should be punished, reduce allocation. I don't believe, I don't reduce, I increase the allocation for the people of Kelantan," he said.

Najib said the government would also build more houses for the needy in the state.

He also approved an allocation of RM56,000 each to build new houses to replace the dilapidated ones occupied by three families whom he visited here.

Najib also urged the people of Kelantan to give their support to the government helmed by the Barisan Nasional (BN) to ensure these transformations being implemented could be expedited.

According to the Prime Minister, the people especially in Bachok would enjoy various facilities in the new hospital when it is completed in 2019 and the modern ECRL in five years' time.

Meanwhile he took to task certain quarters, including the opposition for alleging the government of Malaysia was bankrupt.

"If the government of Malaysia is bankrupt, the (Monarch of Saudi Arabia) King Salman (Abdulaziz Al Saud) would not have come to invest in this country and set up the King Salman Centre. King Salman also appreciates and recognises the leadership of the Malaysian government," he said.

Najib stressed that the government would continue to strive to make Malaysia more progressive in all fields and not be insulted and humiliated by any quarters.

In his speech which frequently received applauses from the audience, Najib said North Korea should not insult the people of Malaysia following the murder of Kim Jong-nam.

"Respect us and make sure our people are safe," said the Prime Minister in alluding to the nine more Malaysians barred from leaving North Korea.

Kuala Lumpur-Pyongyang relations were strained following the murder of Kim Jong-nam, brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (klia2) on Feb 13.

Last Tuesday, North Korea announced the ban on Malaysians leaving that country.

Initially the ban involved 11 Malaysians but two of them, United Nations staff, were allowed to leave North Korea and are currently in Beijing.

Najib was also given a briefing on the construction of an ECRL station in Jelawat here. -- Bernama