KUALA TERENGGANU, 15 Jan 2009: Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said today he wanted the ongoing development in Terengganu to continue unimpeded in fulfilling the aspirations of the people in the state.
The prime minister said the government would ensure that all programmes drawn up for the state since the time the Barisan Nasional (BN) took over the administration of the state from PAS were implemented.
“I want to see unimpeded continuation of the development in this state, without the shelving of any project. All programmes will be implemented.
“The aspirations of the people of Terengganu will become reality,” he said at the laying of the foundation stone for the Maternity Specialist Complex and the Mental Health Psychiatry Complex of the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital, here.
Abdullah said good cooperation between the federal and state governments was vital for this, and should extend to all levels right down to the lowest.
“It is for this reason that we want our elected representative in this area (constituency), as was the case before, to facilitate our work,” he said.
Abdullah said that since the time the BN took over the administration of the state from PAS in 2004, various projects had been implemented including Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, upgrading of the Sultan Mahmud Airport and construction of highways.
“What we are doing now (construction of the specialist complex) is another development brought by the BN government in Terengganu and the BN federal government – another project which makes the aspirations of the Terengganu people a reality,” he said.
Abdullah also said that following the BN takeover of the state government, the poverty rate had dropped from 15.4% to the current 6.5.
Furthermore, he said, Terengganu was also tops in terms of the academic achievement of the pupils and students compared to those in the other states.
Abdullah said these achievements show that the projects implemented by the government have a great impact on the people of Terengganu, especially in terms of well-being.
“I am thankful that the state government always gives attention to the needs of the people and all projects implemented are for all the people, regardless of ethnicity, community or religion,” he said.
Abdullah said that though the people were free to elect the government of their choice, it was his duty to convey accurate information to the people to help them arrive at a wise decision.
Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai and Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said were also present at the event. — Bernama
