Just and equitable development for all, assures PM
Published on: Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Langkawi: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Monday gave an assurance that the Government under his leadership will ensure that every sector of the community enjoys a just and equitable development.Under this policy, he said national development would not only be enjoyed by the urban residents but also raised the standard of living of the rural community especially those in the lower income group."We adopt a balanced and inclusive policy...and I will not budge from this principle," he said when officiating the 24-hour rural electrification project in Pulau Tuba, here.
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The project, which was personally approved by Najib in 2012 at a cost of about RM45 million, involved the supply of electricity using undersea cable from Kuala Perlis and benefiting about 5,000 residents on the island."I am the happiest man because what I had pledged to the Pulau Tuba community has been fulfilled," he said.Najib said the implementation of the electricity supply project using undersea cable to Pulau Tuba originally was not included in the Government's annual budget but realising the hardship faced by the community on the island had resulted in its approval. He said the island's residents who were mostly fishermen would continue to be looked after to ensure that they also enjoyed the development taking place in Langkawi."If we have turned Langkawi into a duty-free island, we don't want only the tourists to benefit while the local residents lag behind," he said.
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He also refused to entertain a handful of people who considered his efforts to assist the lower-income community all this while as an attempt to bribe the people."This is a fair policy. Not fodder (dedak), not bribery...I don't want the fishermen (to continue) being insulted.
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We want to continue to champion the cause of the fishermen and farmers," he added.At the event, Najib also announced several development projects for the benefit of the Pulau Tuba residents, who could only be reached from Langkawi by boat in about 20 minutes.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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