'We're not phased anymore', Kelantan residents hopes PM would bring good news

KOTA BHARU - Kelantan has always been in the spotlight due to its issues with water, but also its issues in terms of development infrastructure and job opportunities.

A recent survey conducted by Sinar prior to the Malaysia Madani Aidilfitri open house found that some Kelantanese were hoping that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would announce some good news during the event.

Cleaning assistant Tuan Nor Fatimah Tuan Nazri, 34, said the water supply issue in Kelantan must be addressed immediately as it remained unsolved for over 30 years.

“When a tap is turned on, the water is always cloudy and yellowish, and theres is no water most of the time. If there was it would be used for washing clothes, but then its not consistent

“We are not phased anymore by the situation, but we hope the Prime Minister would take action in solving this issue,” she told Sinar when met here on Thursday.

A 19-year-old public institution researcher Muhammad Fakhrul Fahmi Lokman said to prevent local children from migrating from the state more job opportunities must be created in addition to improving infrastructure and facilities.

“Despite there being several projects currently being implemented such as the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), Industry Building Systems (IBS) Industrial Park and Kota Bharu-Kuala Krai Highway project, it has yet to impact the 1.2 million Kelantan people.

“The differences in development is stark as when compared to other states such as Penang, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur which is far more advanced,” he said.

Rubber tapper Yusmazaini Yahya, 31, hoped Anwar would announce higher rubber prices per kilogramme at RM3 compared to RM2.80 currently.

"All prices have risen and are much more expensive, but rubber prices remained the same.

"The price of sugar now is higher than rubber," she said.