Promoting equity: Anwar (centre) sitting alongside representatives of religious leaders during the Muslim World League (MWL) at the Second International Summit Religious Leaders 2025 in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has dismissed notions that there is disparity in economic development and that certain states, such as Penang and Johor are being prioritised for mega projects over others.
The Prime Minister said certain projects were given priority in line with the Madani Economy Framework, New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030), the National Semiconductor Strategy.
This includes the likes of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), he said.
“But this doesn’t mean that other states are neglected,” he told the Dewan Rakyat during the Prime Minister’s Question Time.
Anwar cited Sabah as seeing drastic increase in development expenditure from RM5.2bil in 2022 to RM6.7bil this year; while Sarawak’s development expenditure increased was RM4.7bil in 2022 and RM5.9bil this year.
Terengganu’s development expenditure was RM1.4bil in 2022 and recorded RM1.8bil in 2025; Kelantan RM2.4bil to RM 3.2bil; Kedah RM1.6bil to RMRM2.2bil and Perlis from RM400mil to RM600mil.
“Under this government (these states) are not neglected, in fact they received higher allocations. For Sabah and Sarawak, the package for highway development is huge. Pan-Borneo costs RM15.9bil, Sabah-Sarawak Link Road costs close to RM10bil.
“The ECRL that links Pahang, Terengganu,Kelantan and part of Selangor costs RM74.96bil. This does not include the Central Spine Road that links Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan which costs RM6.38bil.
“This has to be said as it dismisses notions that there is neglect.”
The Prime Minister said he had gone to the states to listen to their views, adding that Mentris Besar and Chief Ministers too have given their proposals on what is required.
He assured that one or two proposals will be fulfilled and will be announced under Budget 2026.
At the Second International Summit of Religious Leaders 2025, Anwar said there is no tolerance to those who create havoc or preach hatred in the country.
Anwar said the world’s religious leaders too have an obligation to unite and fight against those who reject faith and values of humanity.
“Those who create havoc and preach hatred against any other religion, we will go high on you as this can destroy the country,” he said.
The Prime Minister pointed out that the challenge in Malaysia is that the country’s population comprise 60% Muslims, an abundance of Christians, Hindus and Buddhists and some animists.
“We as the government, cannot easily satisfy everyone but we have to engage with everyone. All religions must unite to create an understanding and defend humanity against those who reject faith and values.
“This is the new form of the age of ignorance, where in their hatred of another religion, they know nothing of the religion,” he added.
