Back-and-forth: Wan Rosdy speaks at the Pahang state assembly in Wisma Sri Pahang, Kuantan. — Bernama
KUANTAN: The state government has never neglected the welfare of the people, including those from Opposition areas, says Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail.
The Mentri Besar said although no allocation was channelled directly to Opposition assemblymen, the aid still reached the people either through the Office of the Mentri Besar, the office of state assemblymen, the coordinator of the state legislative assembly or the district office.
“The state government will continue to channel aid even if voters in the area did not choose us in the previous election.
“This is our responsibility as the government. We will channel aid continuously regardless of race, religion and political affiliation.
“For example, the school aid of RM100 is given to all Year One pupils,” he said when winding up the debate on the motion of thanks for the royal address of the Regent of Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah during the state assembly sitting yesterday.
Wan Rosdy also referred to the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) Pahang state development project for 2023, which saw RM118.5mil allocated for Opposition constituencies to carry out various forms of development.
In addition, he said the state government considered giving allocations to Opposition assemblymen, with the state financial officer being asked to carry out a study and follow-up action for the proposed paper to be brought to the state government council.
He said Opposition assemblymen could meet and discuss with the state government if they need any assistance although the method of providing aid might differ.
“If allocations are given, the amount may also be different because never before have funds for the Opposition and government assemblymen been the same,” he said.
The issue of allocations to the Opposition, reported Bernama, was first raised on the second day of the sitting, with Opposition leader Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man reminding Wan Rosdy that he should understand the problems faced by service centres which required allocations.
On the issue of water, Wan Rosdy reiterated the state government’s commitment in ensuring 90% of the water supply issues would be resolved by 2026.
So far, he said, of the 217 water supply improvement projects costing RM2.3bil, 82 of them had been completed as of April this year, involving a sum of RM47mil.
In addition, 37 projects are under construction at the cost of RM299.9mil while 98 others amounting to about RM2bil are at the pre-construction stage, which are either design planning, under approval or contractor appointments.
The projects were planned to overcome the state’s water supply problems, among them broken pipes, low water pressure, supply cuts, declining quality of raw water and replacement of old pipelines, he added.
“The main issue is the low tariff rate. The last domestic water supply tariff study was done in 1983.
“Our tariff is the second lowest after Penang. The state government continues with this tariff rate by taking into account the burden on the people,” he said.
