On the ground: Ahmad Zahid attending a ground-breaking ceremony for a village road connecting Kuala Betis to Pos Bihai, Pos Belatim and Pos Balar. — Bernama
GUA MUSANG: All pending development projects for the Orang Asli in Kuala Betis here will be expedited for the benefit of the community, said Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Some of them were proposed in the 11th Malaysia Plan, which was supposed to take place between 2016 and 2020, according to the Deputy Prime Minister.
“The projects weren’t announced because we want to win the Nenggiri by-election. They were planned under the 11MP,” Ahmad Zahid told reporters, referring to the by-election taking place for the state seat.
“Apart from that, Orang Asli village heads have come to see me to share their problems related to development projects for the Orang Asli in Kuala Betis,” Bernama reported him saying after a ground-breaking ceremony for a village road connecting Kuala Betis to Pos Bihai, Pos Belatim and Pos Balar.
“The project will bring about socioeconomic impact and benefits to 7,147 Orang Asli residents in Gua Musang,” said Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister.
He said the projects would be completed within 48 months as they had been delayed for far too long.
“The government has also approved an allocation of RM11mil for the replacement of the 135m Batu 6 Bridge in Nenggiri and the 180m village road, which would provide convenience to the local residents.
“Both projects will also include LED street lights and a proper drainage system.”
Ahmad Zahid expressed hope that the projects would enhance connectivity among the communities, including for teachers who have to travel up to 60km to reach schools in Pos Bihai.
The by-election was called after Kelantan State Assembly Speaker Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah declared the seat vacant as its incumbent Mohd Azizi Abu Naim had ceased to be a member of Bersatu on June 13.
So far, only Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional have announced candidates for the polls, which will take place on Aug 17.
On the campaign itself, Ahmad Zahid expressed confidence that Barisan, of which he is the chairman, will be able to explain the government’s decision to restructure the diesel subsidy system to voters.
This is because Perikatan had used the issue extensively during the Sungai Bakap by-election in Penang last month, which saw the coalition win the seat by a 4,267-vote majority.
“... they will use the same issue in the Nenggiri by-election. But I think the people in Gua Musang, especially the Orang Asli community, are rational enough for us to clarify the diesel subsidy issue,” he said.
The Nenggiri constituency has nine district polling centres, of which five are dominated by the Orang Asli community, he said.
“The party machinery will engage with voters, including the Orang Asli, to explain the diesel subsidy issue to ensure they are not influenced by defamatory remarks,” he said.
