Anwar's olive branch to Kelantan, Terengganu withering over flood aid dispute

 

In December, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim extended an olive branch to Perikatan Nasional-led states Kelantan and Terengganu by pledging RM50 million in flood aid to each state.

However, a dispute has risen over who should handle the funds after it was not channelled to the state governments.

Instead, the funds are being handled by the Federal Development Department (JPP) - an agency under the Prime Minister's Department's (PMD) Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) that has branches in each state.

It is believed the decision has led to Anwar being snubbed by the Terengganu government during his visit to the state today - with no representatives meeting him.

This is despite Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar being in the state today, having attended a flood aid distribution event organised by PN in Besut.

Asked about allegations that Terengganu had been neglected, Samsuri replied that Putrajaya should respect the Federal Constitution.

Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar

"I don't want to comment on whether we are neglected or not, but the federal government should take note of the spirit of the Ninth Schedule of the Federal Constitution in regards to the Concurrent List between federal and state governments," he was quoted as saying by Berita Harian.

The Concurrent List lays out matters that both federal and state governments have authority over, and this includes social aid.

Samsuri said all discussions, coordination and meetings must be respected in implementing the Concurrent List.

"We believe they (Putrajaya) don’t want to implement politics of dispute, but that is up to them," he added.

Separately, Kelantan Menteri Besar Ahmad Yakob said today that the state government was also in the dark on how the flood aid promised by Anwar would be distributed.

"We hold to the prime minister's promise to allocate RM50 million (each) to Kelantan and Terengganu, but now it is being channelled to the Kelantan JPP.

"So we don't know how the aid will be disbursed to the people of Kelantan," he said.

Kelantan Menteri Besar Ahmad Yakob

In a Facebook post tonight, Anwar said his visit to Terengganu today was not to "attack" anyone but was for the people's sake.

"I strongly hope that we can respect the choice made by the people during the 15th general election and stop political sentiments that are excessive and destructive," he said.

The Tambun MP added that he hoped to meet the Terengganu state government leaders when the political situation had cooled.

Anwar did not address the issue of the RM100 million in aid not going to the Kelantan and Terengganu state governments today.

However, he said that he had met the heads of federal departments in Terengganu today, and reminded them to treat all states equally.

"I am the prime minister for all states and treatment of each state must be equal and fair," he stressed.

Kedah and Terengganu are among the six states which have not yet held state elections.

Earlier, Works Minister Alexander Nanta Linggi said a total of RM232 million was needed to repair the infrastructure and public facilities damaged in the Peninsular during the floods.

He said most of the damage occurred in the east coast states, with repairs costing RM196 million. - Mkini