PRIME Minister Najib Razak today announced a RM1.315 billion allocation for five new projects in Langkawi under the 11th Malaysia Plan.

The projects are: an additional building for Langkawi Hospital (RM500 million); quarters for health staff (RM135 million); fire and rescue station, and quarters for staff in Padang Matsirat (RM30 million); upgrading of Jalan Bulatan Lapangan Terbang-Pulapol Langkawi (RM50 million); and, addressing the island’s water supply problem (RM600 million).

“Currently, Langkawi Hospital can accommodate only 110 beds, and the bed occupancy rate is nearly 90%.

“Therefore, an additional building for Langkawi Hospital has been approved under the Third Rolling Plan of 11MP,” he said in his speech when opening the “I Am Usahawan GO 4.0” programme, organised by the Malaysian Malay Chambers of Commerce to create awareness on the Fourth Industrial Revolution, in Langkawi.

He said the new hospital building would be equipped with 220 beds, wards for the intensive care and coronary units, and other facilities.

Najib said the project would also provide facilities for full-paying patients, to meet the demand for health tourism in Langkawi, which has yet to have a private hospital.

On the water supply project, he said allocation for it was the biggest of the five as a long-term solution to the island’s water woes was needed.

He said currently, water production capacity in Langkawi had reached the maximum of 89.4 million litres daily, and the project, which will involve off-river storage in Padang Matsirat, would ensure an additional supply of 124.48 million litres daily, and this would be sufficient to meet needs until 2040.

“Implementation of the project started early this year, and it’s expected to be ready in 2022.”

Najib said the projects proved that the Barisan Nasional government was committed to ensuring the welfare of Langkawi residents.

He said the people should not look back, nor should they continue with life based on sentiments or old feelings.

He said development and transformation projects were realised by a solid and strong government, and not an individual’s popularity.

“An individual, no matter how popular he was before, cannot bring changes without a strong party behind him.”

He said as a state that did not have enough natural resources, Kedah should not be allowed to return to opposition rule.

“Without the support of the federal government, we will go back to that time. We should not return to that time, but we must look ahead.” – Bernama, February 17, 2018.