ALOR STAR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today expressed Putrajaya's commitment to fully eradicate hardcore poverty in the state, as well as facilitate investments from China into the Kulim Hi-Tech Park.
As such, Anwar sought the cooperation of the state government and agencies to achieve the plan through programmes initiated by the federal government.
"This year, we have made the decision to fully eradicate extreme poverty. Among the states that still have a high number of people living in extreme poverty are Sabah, Sarawak, Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah.
"We will ensure that (poverty eradication), without exception. InsyaAllah, this issue will be properly addressed this time and the unity government will eradicate the number of people living in extreme poverty," he said at the Malaysia Madani Aidilfitri Open House with the Prime Minister at Raia Hotel and Convention Centre here.
Present was Sultan of Kedah Sultan of Kedah Al-Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah.
Also present were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
Anwar said he was seeking the cooperation of the federal and state governments' machineries to achieve the plan.
"It is shameful that a capable country with vast resources, such as oil and gas, palm oil and industries, has failed to resolve hardcore poverty, which is a fundamental issue."
Anwar also said he was committed to facilitating investors who had expressed interest in the Kulim Hi-Tech Park during his visit to China last month.
He said he had informed the sultan of Kedah that the federal government had approved a RM1.6 billion allocation for the state for this year, which was higher than the amount approved by the previous administration.
He said the federal government had also approved aid for dilapidated schools and clinics in Kedah, and had allocated funds for water supply projects in several districts.
"In the 2023 Budget, for the first time, we have increased the allocation for padi farmers, the highest ever in history, as well as for the small rubber holders and fishermen.
"The amount announced in the recent budget shows that we do have the capability to overcome this (poverty) if we work together, agree to manage the country's economy, bring in investments and ensure that government spending is focused on the people. That is why we keep on emphasising good governance.
"I believe that Kedah and Malaysia are capable of achieving a prosperous, successful, brilliant and a civilised state status if we can manage it well, reject corruption and abuse of power, while optimising the government machinery to safeguard people's welfare,"
Kedah is the first stop of the Malaysia Madani Aidilfitri Open House with the Prime Minister.
The next open house will be held at Universiti Teknologi Mara Permatang Pauh in Penang, from 11am to 2pm on May 6 and at Wisma Majlis Bandaraya Seremban the following day from 10.30am to 3pm.
On May 12, the Kelantan open house will be held at the grounds of the Sultan Muhammad IV Stadium, Kota Baru, while the Terengganu open house will be held at Al-Muktafi Billah Shah Hall, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Kuala Terengganu, on May 13.
The finale will be held at Kawasan Komersial Fasa 3, Taman Sri Gombak in Batu Caves, Selangor, from 8pm to 11pm on May 14.