No bias against opposition states, but more development if under BN, says Najib

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak says cooperation between the Federal government and state governments may be limited to aid and assistance only if the state is held by federal opposition parties. – The Malaysian Insider pic, February 27, 2015.The Prime Minister today said that while Putrajaya will not discriminate against opposition-held states when it comes to distribution of aid and assistance, it would be better for a common party to rule for the sake of a state's development.

Bernama reported Datuk Seri Najib Razak as saying in his personal blog entry that all state governments will receive appropriate aid and assistance from the Federal government regardless of political differences.

He cited the cooperation between the Federal and the Kelantan governments in ensuring the people's wellbeing, after the recent flood disaster in the state.

In his blog, Najib elaborated on his recent meeting with Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yaakob, saying that "the Federal government had always given attention to the wellbeing of people in Kelantan". 

"I feel that the cooperation between the Federal government and the Kelantan state government under the leadership of Datuk Ahmad Yaakob is a noble effort.

"This cooperation should be enhanced for the wellbeing of the people in Kelantan and towards empowering the Muslim community," he said, according to Bernama.

However, in a speech at Serian, Sarawak today, Najib contradicted his blog statement, saying that the people should choose a common party for both Federal and state governments, "for the sake of development".

He said having both governments under the same party would facilitate implementation of development projects.

"In 2011, I came to Serian and announced that the government would build a water treatment plant.

"After that, (Rural and Regional Development Minister) Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, through the Rural and Regional Development Ministry and with the cooperation of the state government realised the project.

"Today I am here again to express that commitment has been met. This cooperation is proof that if both governments are from the party, development projects for the people will be easier to implement," he was quoted as saying when opening the Serian Water Treatment Plant.

According to Bernama, work on the plant started in 2011 and was completed on March 28, 2013, at a cost of RM116,500.

Najib also made visits to several areas around the state saying that it was to identify development projects, in order to develop Sarawak to bring it on par with other states in the peninsula.

- TMI