KOTA BARU: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has dismissed allegations that the Federal government neglected Kelantan as claimed by some quarters.
The Prime Minister said that the government has consistently provided assistance to the state.
"It is not true that the government did not give its attention to Kelantan. Otherwise, the government will not give the huge assistance to the famous Siti Khadijah wet market last year.
"Since last year, the government has allocated RM1.5 million for the market's upgrading works and today, l have announced another RM5.5 million additional allocation.
Anwar expressed hope that the market would continue to attract visitors once the upgrading works are completed.
The planned renovations will include repairs to the roof, toilets, and electrical wiring, and will begin as soon as possible.
Speaking at a meet-and-greet session with market traders, he emphasised the importance of these upgrades for the 1,500 traders who operate there.
"I was informed by Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability minister) that this market attracts many visitors and therefore, its facilities need to be repaired immediately.
"The wiring need to be upgraded soon to prevent any unwanted incident such as fire from happening," he added.
Anwar said he had instructed the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) in the Prime Minister's Department to oversee the upgrading process.
"I want the ICU's director-general to monitor the progress of the project from next week.
"I also want them to ensure the tender for the project follow the rules," he said.
He also urged market traders to maintain cleanliness.
"I urge local municipal councils to monitor them closely. If they ignore the directive, the officers can issue them with compound or revoke their licence," he added.