SUNGAI PETANI: Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor today said that the working relationship between the state administration and the federal government has improved.
He said the renewed approach between both sides had enabled federal projects in Kedah to run more smoothly than ever.
He said this after chairing an executive council meeting at the Sungai Petani Municipal Council building here.
Sanusi said many people had inquired about his softer approach towards the federal government.
"I explained to them, 'I was (cengei) harsh before this because they were harsh towards me'.
"So when things were calmed down, I issued an apology to all parties hurt by what I had said.
"Once again, I seek forgiveness for what happened in the past.
"With the new approach, we hope to see more cooperation, and people will also not feel worried about coming to Kedah.
"Previously, some were afraid to come because the menteri besar is fierce. I am not fierce.
"It was just that the wave was fierce at that time, so we had to push through. If we surrender, we would sink," he said.
Meanwhile, he said the state government was deliberating on the federal government's request to acquire a 2.1ha sandbank near Sungai Kedah barrage gate.
"We will discuss the request with the Sungai Muda Basin Management Office without having to transfer the land to the federal government.
"In fact, I have raised this matter with the prime minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim), who has agreed to provide an allocation to build infrastructure or develop state-owned land."
He also thanked the federal government for approving a RM7 million fund to repair a faulty barrage gate at Sungai Muda.