Kedah Gov't Urged To Take Responsibility For Langkasuka Project Failure

ALOR SETAR, Nov 24 (Bernama) -- Kedah UMNO has called on the Kedah government to take responsibility for the failure of the mega 'Langkasuka-Langkawi' development project.

Kedah UMNO Information Chief Datuk Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin expressed deep concern over the withdrawal of Bin Zayed International Group of Companies (BZI) from the joint venture project.

"Kedah UMNO is also worried that this failed collaboration could affect other announcements previously made by the (Kedah) Menteri Besar (Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor).

"It indirectly suggests that the state government lacks the expertise and ability to assess the background of its partners or has been unable to fulfill commitments outlined in the memorandum of understanding," he said in a statement today.

"The people deserve accurate information as they should have the opportunity to evaluate the competence of the government they elected in the recent state election," Shaiful added.

Earlier, Bin Zayed International (M) Bhd Managing Director Datuk Seri Dr Shamir Kumar Nandy confirmed that the group had withdrawn from the Langkasuka project since 2022 to focus on more promising, realistic and high-potential opportunities.

In 2021, Widad Business Group Sdn Bhd had entered into a strategic partnership with BZI to develop a RM40 billion mixed-use development project known as Widad@Langkasuka in Langkawi.

Meanwhile, Muhammad Sanusi clarified in a press conference today that the project was not a state government initiative, as its role was limited to land-related matters.

"The collaboration was entirely private sector-driven, with the state government's only role being to approve land matters. The land approval process followed legal procedures, including land disposal, premium payments, and taxes and once completed, the government's role ended.

"After that, it is up to them to manage the business and develop the land. They were the ones who announced the RM40 billion project; it was not a state government initiative but a private one," he explained.

-- BERNAMA