Najib announces three mega projects for Perlis under 11MP

Najib (right) with Perlis MB Datuk Seri Azlan Man. - Bernama

KANGAR: Perlis has three mega projects with an estimated cost of RM850mil lined up for the development under the 11th Malaysia Plan (11MP).

The northernmost and smallest state in Malaysia will be receiving funds from the Federal Government for the Perlis Inland Port, Chuping Valley and Padang Besar Logistics Hub and also the long awaited Padang Besar Hospital.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the three projects will incur costs of around RM200mil, RM568mil and RM81mil respectively.

He gave the approval for the allocation for the projects during his one-day working visit to Perlis Saturday.

"I had given the approval during a briefing by the state government so that Perlis can be further developed," he told a press conference after attending the Anugerah Desa Sejahtera 1Malaysia (ADS1M) presentation ceremony in Kampung Kurong Tengar in Kuala Perlis here.

During an earlier function at Dewan Wawasan 2020 after a closed door meeting with Barisan Nasional party component leaders, Najib told a crowd of hundreds that the ruling coalition had done a lot in terms of development and leading the nation and Malaysians should be proud of the country's stability and unity.

"In five years, we will be going through the final lap under the 11th Malaysia Plan as we approach year 2020 where we will be a developed nation.

"The main challenge for us as is to ensure that the country's wealth is distributed fairly and inclusive. We are only able to achieve this if the people and parties give us their support.

"When I met with the Barisan leaders here, some had told me to be strong and I can only do that if party members give their full support to me.

"Perlis as I can say, is an 'all clear' state as the political leader (Perlis BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim) and the Mentri Besar (Datuk Seri Azlan Man) have vouched their support for me," Najib said.

Najib also quipped that he had acted as the head marketer for Perlis' famed Harum Manis mangoes, having promoted it to the Emperor and Empress of Japan and also the country's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.