KOTA BARU: The Kelantan State Assembly was informed today that the relationship between the state and federal governments is improving.
State Public Works, Infrastructure, Water and Rural Development Committee chairman Datuk Dr Izani Husin said this was evident through the ongoing series of meetings between Menteri Besar and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
"The relationship between the state and federal government has definitely improved, with regular meetings taking place between the Prime Minister and the Menteri Besar," he said, responding to a query from Bahari Mohamad Nor (Pas-Gual Ipoh).
In response to Norsham Sulaiman (Pas-Semerak), Dr Izani addressed the lack of a centralised public sewerage system in Kelantan.
He said that many residents still relied on individual septic tanks, which often led to environmental contamination and groundwater pollution.
"Aware of this issue, the state government is working on a solution to implement a more efficient and systematic sewerage system," he added.
One of the key proposals in the State Structure Plan 2040 is the development of a centralised sewerage system in Bandar Baru Tunjong, designed to serve 140,000 people.
Dr Izani, who is also Kijang assemblyman, said that the state government had applied for RM500 million in funding from the Federal Government through the 11th Malaysia Plan.
The allocation was initially approved under Rolling Plan 2 but was later converted into a loan and withdrawn following the 14th General Election in 2018.
Acknowledging the critical need for this project, Dr Izani said that the state government had continued to seek funding through the 12th Malaysia Plan, including Rolling Plans 1, 2, and 4, although previous applications had been rejected.
He assured that efforts would continue in the 13th Malaysia Plan.