GE15: Reezal to develop Permatang Pauh, Tasek Gelugor if he is minister again

KEPALA BATAS: Kepala Batas incumbent MP Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican will rely on the “prosper thy neighbour” policy to develop Permatang Pauh and Tasek Gelugor when he becomes minister again.

The caretaker Housing and Local Government Minister said competition among the parties and candidates was only during the election.

"Once the mandate is given for a coalition to rule, if I am a minister, I must serve all, irrespective of which party or coalition they belong to," said Reezal.

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He was asked if he would help develop both Permatang Pauh and Tasek Gelugor at par with his constituency if Barisan Nasional is voted in and he gets reappointed as a minister.

"However, for development to take place, the MPs of these constituencies should cooperate with the ministry to bring (it to) their areas,” he told newsmen after hosting a media luncheon at Wisma Umno in Kepala Batas on Monday (Nov 14).

Reezal also said he had good relations with the Penang state government, Opposition MPs and the state housing committee.

"I have been a minister for only 17 months and had to plan out everything which needs to be done but what you see in Kepala Batas today is the dream and hard work of more than 30 years, since the time of former premier Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.”

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Caretaker Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob recently said Reezal has done good work and will be appointed a minister if Barisan wins the 15th General Election (GE15).

On the development of Kepala Batas, Reezal said he does not make empty promises as everyone can see that his pledges in the last two elections were realised, from infrastructure development to affordable housing, and getting government departments to set up branches here for the convenience of the people.

"We initiated the People's Housing Programme (PPR), building 700 units worth RM170mil in Pongsu Seribu that will be sold at RM45,000 each, a project especially for the B40 group and below.

"The Prime Minister recently launched the groundbreaking ceremony for the project.”

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On the chances of Barisan returning with a strong majority, Reezal said there was nothing wrong in asking for the mandate in GE15 as investors will be attracted only if there is a stable government.

"The people should not make the mistake of electing a weak government which bickers all the time as a way of having checks and balances.

"I agree that absolute power corrupts and independent institutions overseeing the government's performance should be strengthened for them to act (for) good governance.

"What we see today is a fragmented Opposition which was only interested in checking and there was no balance of how an effective government could function without any impediment," he added.