MACHANG: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the federal government has allocated about RM1 billion to help resolve the water problem in Kelantan.
Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the allocation was announced and approved by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"As announced by the prime minister, RM1 billion has been set aside for Kelantan to resolve the water problem in the state.
"I was informed the distribution of the allocation, which started beginning this year, has been made transparently," he told reporters after attending Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house organised by Felcra here today.
Present was Felcra Bhd chairman Datuk Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub.
Earlier in his speech, Zahid said the government hoped that the allocation could help to solve the water issue faced by the people in Kelantan.
"Kelantan has a good menteri besar but that is not enough. Water supply is the basic thing needed by the people in the state.
"Therefore, the federal government decided to help the state government by announcing the RM1 billion allocation.
"Hopefully, it will help to provide clean water supply for the people of Kelantan" he added.
During his visit to Kelantan recently, Anwar expressed his commitment to
solve water woes in Kelantan and Sabah.
Anwar said he would invite Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor to meet him in the next two weeks to find a definitive solution, even if it involves billions of ringgit.
Anwar said it's important that the rakyat is not be burdened and insulted when there's no clean water to drink after 60 years of independence.