THE unity government has never marginalised Kelantan, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said.

Anwar, who is also finance minister, said Kelantan is in fact the state that receives the highest allocation from the federal government.

“All important views and suggestions from the state government, such as on flood mitigation, water issues and development, I accept and am committed to resolving them.

“This claim (Kelantan being marginalised) is not based on facts. I want to reiterate, the (federal) government’s allocation (to Kelantan) is more now than when PAS and Bersatu were in the government,” he told reporters after attending the 36th Asia-Pacific Round Table Conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

He said this in response to a question about a claim by PAS assistant secretary-general Mohd Syahir Sulaiman in a debate with Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli yesterday that Kelantan had never enjoyed the benefits of federalism because the state leadership was not aligned with the federal government.

Anwar said the PAS-led Kelantan government leaders should be brave to resolve internal problems in addition to providing suggestions for the state’s development.

On media reports about former Penang deputy chief minister P. Ramasamy leaving  DAP, Anwar, who is also Pakatan Harapan chairman, said he would contact Ramasamy to find out the true situation.

“He is my friend. He understands our situation… there may be some problems, especially for the party (DAP),” he said.

“But I hope he (still) plays a constructive role in helping the government with this Madani approach.”

It was reported today that the incumbent Perai assemblyman had sent a letter to DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke and Penang DAP chairman Chow Kon Yeow informing them of his intention to relinquish all posts in the party. – Bernama, August 10, 2023.