PAS-RULED Kelantan is getting more development expenditure from the federal government under Budget 2019, said Lim Guan Eng, denying that the Pakatan Harapan administration has sidelined the east coast state.

The finance minister said the development expenditure for states will be increased from RM27.9 billion to RM31.7 billion, with the financially troubled Kelantan getting RM1.376 billion, up from the RM1.214 billion previously.

This proves that the PH government is fair to all states, including those controlled by the opposition, said Lim.

“I regret that some Kelantan leaders have accused us of not caring about the state’s development. The federal government and other governments ‘bukan maksum’ (are not infallible), but let’s go on facts. Don’t slander.

“There are some opposition leaders who like to play up sentiments, not facts and figures, which is unhealthy. When it comes to developing the economy, we must go with the facts and figures.

“If we don’t, the state will decline. Maybe this is why Kelantan has difficulty paying civil servants’ salaries... because they like to slander instead of going with the facts,” he told reporters after a special briefing on Budget 2019 in Penang last night.

He said the opposition should stop playing up sentiments and resorting to slander because ultimately, it will end up being the loser when the people see through the rhetoric.

Lawmakers from the Islamist PAS, which controls Kelantan and Terengganu, have accused the PH administration of discrimination after the two states were not mentioned in Lim’s budget speech.

The finance minister said he appreciates all opinions on Budget 2019, which was tabled on Friday, but some remarks reported in the media were inaccurate.

He said there were those who criticised the budget for putting the private sector at the heart of efforts to drive the economy, and were concerned that Bumiputera firms might lose out.

He gave an assurance that Bumiputera companies will not be sidelined, citing how Bumiputera Class F contractors will compete among themselves in open tender exercises for projects involving Bumiputera entities like Mara and Permodalan Nasional Bhd.

The Bumiputera agenda is still in place, but this time, alongside the practice of open tenders, said Lim.

“There won’t be a problem. Previously, the problem was that companies had to get the endorsement of (party) division chiefs. Only those with ‘strong cables’ would get projects.

“Now, it will be through open tender. Nobody’s signature is needed. There will not be direct negotiations or limited tenders.

“We have practised this in Penang, and we have seen some capable Bumiputera contractors,” said the former chief minister. – November 8, 2018.