Nenggiri Needs A Representative To Serve As Liaison With Federal Govt - Ahmad

GUA MUSANG, Aug 5 (Bernama) -- UMNO Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan,  stated that the Nenggiri State Legislative Assembly needs a representative who can serve as a liaison with the federal government.

The Deputy Minister of Works noted that the state constituency covers nine traditional villages, five Land Development Schemes (RKT) under the Southern Kelantan Development Authority (Kesedar), five Orang Asli areas requiring the attention of the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development, and one Felda development.

He urged Nenggiri voters to choose wisely in the upcoming by-election on Aug 17 and consider Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Mohd Azmawi Fikri Abdul Ghani for the role.

"We need a candidate who supports the federal government, to secure benefits and facilitate communication with federal agencies.

"It is a straightforward choice for voters, as this area still requires the involvement of federal agencies. So voting for Awi (Azmawi) would be beneficial," he told reporters during a visit to a road construction project in Bertam today.

The Nenggiri by-election on Aug 17 is a straightforward contest between Mohd Azmawi Fikri and PAS candidate Mohd Rizwadi Ismail.

The by-election was called following the vacancy announced by Kelantan State Assembly Speaker Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah on June 19, after the incumbent, Mohd Azizi Abu Naim, was expelled from Bersatu on June 13.

Earlier, Ahmad inspected the progress of a new 750-metre road construction project from the Bertam Bridge to State Road D235 Gua Musang. The project is currently 60% complete and scheduled to be completed by March next year.

Regarding compensation for the owners of 22 unauthorised structures on government land along the route, Ahmad clarified that the Kelantan state government meeting on Jan 24 had referred the matter to the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development, which is the project owner. 

He noted that the Gua Musang District Land Office had also forwarded the application to the Ministry for its consideration.

"Since we are in the by-election period, we cannot announce the details now. The Ministry will announce it after it's over. There is a formula to calculate the compensation, it will not cover the full amount," he said.

The project, costing over RM9 million, aims to connect Kampung Bertam Baru with Kampung Bertam Lama and enhance the socio-economic conditions of 5,000 residents.

-- BERNAMA