PM launches Kedah Strategic Development Plan 2019-2035 [NSTTV]

ALOR STAR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today launched the Kedah Strategic Development Plan 2019-2035 as part of the Barisan Nasional’s government commitment to bringing more transformation to the state.

Included in the plan is upgrading the Sultan Abdul Halim Airport in Kepala Batas into an international airport, which will be completed within five years.

Najib said he has also instructed Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) to include an aerobridge in the Langkawi International Airport upgrading project which was announced the 2018 Budget, to attract larger aircraft and international direct flights to the island.

He said the upgrading work on the Sultan Abdul Halim Airport would complement the government’s move to transform Bukit Kayu Hitam as a logistics hub for the northern region, that will also link it to southern Thailand.

He said the upgrading also would allow more umrah and Hajj flights to depart from the airport.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (center) with Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah (eight from right) and Barisan Nasional members holds Kedah State Development Plan book 2019-2035 at the opening ceremony of the Kedah Muafakat Expo at the Stadium Darul Aman. (NSTP/AMRAN HAMID)
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (center) with Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah (eight from right) and Barisan Nasional members holds Kedah State Development Plan book 2019-2035 at the opening ceremony of the Kedah Muafakat Expo at the Stadium Darul Aman. (NSTP/AMRAN HAMID)

“The government has clear plan, direction and vision to bring transformation to the country and also Kedah, just like the Kedah Strategic Development Plan.

“I am reiterating the commitment to fulfill all the pledges for Kedah as the state needs support from the federal government due to its limited revenue.

“Kedah is the rice bowl of the country and we need to appreciate the contributions the state has made to the nation,” he said when closing the Ekspo Muafakat Kedah 2018 at Stadium Darul Aman compound here today.

Present were Najib’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, as well as state Barisan Nasional leaders.

Najib said the BN government has never made empty promises and always delivers what it had pledged.

Citing an example, he pointed out that until the end of January, BN has delivered 99.6 per cent of the pledges from its 13th General Election manifesto.

Najib said, as prime minister, he wished to see every inch of the country developed to provide better living conditions for the people.

Najib also hit out at Pakatan Harapan chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for questioning the government’s sincerity in fulfilling its pledge to develop infrastructure projects for Langkawi.

"From Feb 14 until 16, I was in Langkawi to assess the situation on the island. I had announced RM1.3 billion in infrastructure projects there.

“But there is a 93-year-old opposition leader who alleged that the allocation is an empty promise that will never be fulfilled.

“If we can complete the MRT Phase One, why can’t we fulfill our promises in Langkawi?” he asked to thunderous applause from the audience.

Najib, who had earlier closed the Terengganu Expo 2018, commended both expositions for their ability to draw an extraordinary turnout.

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