ALOR SETAR: Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor today brushed off perception that 'ikan puyu' fishing activity was an indicator for serious poverty in the state.
Instead, he claimed that 'ikan puyu' fishing activity in irrigation canals and padi fielda were more of a hobby among Kedahans, in particular among villagers.
"For a long time, ikan puyu fishing has been a hobby among villagers in Kedah, it is not an indicator of poverty.
"As villagers, we fish for ikan puyu because it is a tradition, unlike Jitra assemblyman who was born to a wealthy family," Sanusi told Kedah Assembly.
The Jeneri assemblyman from Pas was responding to a question by Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir (Pejuang-Jitra) on the state government plan in helping those who were struggling due to the impact of Covid-19 pandemic.
Mukhriz said the situation was worrying, forcing some people to fish in irrigation canal to make ends meet.
"The people are fishing in irrigation canals for own consumption, not for sale.
"The situation among our people is very alarming. What is the state government doing to save them?," he asked.
Mukhriz said it was unfortunate for Kedahans as they were yet to enjoy direct benefit from the record RM68.3 billion investments in Kedah last year, as announced by the state government.
To this, Sanusi replied that not all investments would create an immediate impact to the people as in most cases, it would take years for the investments to be realised.
However, he explained that there were some immediate impact to the economy when the companies began constructing their plants.
"For example, there are 5,000 people working at the AT&S plant construction site in the Kulim Hi-Tech Park (KHTP).
"This has created jobs for both local and foreign workers while generating business for those involved in supplying building materials," he said.
Sanusi added that AT&S had also sent the first batch of local workers to China for training while the second batch of employees to be trained in Malaysia.
It was reported that AT&S, an Austria-headquartered global manufacturing leader of high-end printed circuit boards (PCB) and integrated circuit (IC) substrates, is investing RM10.5 billion to build its first production plant in Southeast Asia.
The investment would create 5,000 high-tech and high impact jobs at its plant located in KHTP.
On a related matter, Sanusi said out of the two mega investments of RM1.874 billion approved for Kedah in 2020, one of the companies has begun its operation while the other company had just completed the construction of its plant.
"Yuhua Paper Industry invested RM1.05 billion and the construction of its plant has been completed, while Aspen Glove which invested RM820 million is already in operation," he said.
He added that from the three investments totalling RM55 billion approved for Kedah last year, two of the companies - Risen Solar Technology Sdn Bhd (RM42.23 billion) and AT&T Austria Technologies & Systemtechnik Malaysia Sdn Bhd - were building their respective plant.
"The other investment worth RM1.9 billion by Menicon Malaysia Sdn Bhd is in active planning," Sanusi said in response to a question from state opposition leader Datuk Phahrolrazi Mohd Zawawi (Amanah-Alor Mengkudu).