KOTA BARU: The Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V yesterday thanked both Federal and state governments for their cooperation and commitment in ensuring the welfare of the people who were effected
by last year's flood, in well care.
He said the two governments have given their assistance to the flood victims together with various Non-Government Organisation (NGOs).
However, Sultan Muhammad V hoped that any problem related with the implementation of permanent houses for flood victims in the state could be solved so that the victims could return to their normal lives as soon as possible.
"I was informed that 393 units of houses have already completed while another 560 units are still under construction to accomodate the victims who were hit by the December.
"Apart from that, I highly hoped that all quarters would be ready to face any eventuality of another flood hit Kelantan this year.
"The `A', `B' and other plans must be set up properly so that we will not face any unexpected incident when there is an emergency," the Sultan said in his speech at the investiture ceremony in conjunction with his 46th birthday celebration at Istana Balai Besar here yesterday.
Sultan Muhammad V said he was confident that projects that have been listed to be carried out in Kelantan such as the Kota Baru-Kuala Krai highway, central spine road, flood mitigation along Sungai Kelantan and Sungai Golok would be implemented as schedule.
"Projects like Nenggiri hidro electric and several more in other areas that expected to be carried out soon are important as it could save Kelantan from last year's similar disaster which caused many people suffered losses in their properties, plants and also loss of life," he said.
Sultan Muhammad V expressed his appreciation to Economic Planning Unit (EPU) of the Prime Minister's Department for giving its best cooperation and also for listing the projects in the state under the 11th Malaysia Plan.
"Hopefully, all the projects will become reality. I also would like to thank Ecer Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) for playing an active role to help the state in developing Kampung Laut as a tourist village," he sad.
Sultan Muhammad V said he also hoped that the upgrading and the renovation work of the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Pengkalan Chepa would become reality in view that the airport was among the busiest in Malaysia that need to be given priority.
"I believe this project will turn the airport into a regional aviation hub which can provides direct international flight services such as for Umrah and Haj trips to Mecca, Thailand, Vietname and other countries," he said.
Sultan Muhammad V thanked the Federal government once again especially the Finance Ministry for the setting up Rural Transformation Centre - Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) in Kelantan.
"I was told that the process to implement UTC in the state is in progress and expected will start its operation early 2016.
"This UTC will provides various government and private services as well as business activities under one roof and will make easy for the people in the state when dealing with their daily affairs," he said.