Loke, Terengganu MB meet to discuss state, national issues

SHAH ALAM - Despite their political differences, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook and Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar met on Saturday to discuss state and national issues.

According to the Seremban MP, the meeting primarily focuses on ensuring the state's economic development improves, including the role of the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) in two stations, namely Permaisuri and Jerteh.

"Even though we have political differences, I respect him as a leader with a professional and good personality.

"When he invited me to meet and have breakfast together, I accepted it with an open heart.

"We at the Transport Ministry (MOT) will continue to ensure that the ECRL network facilities become a catalyst for economic growth and help develop the industrial areas in Terengganu in line with the state government's aspirations," he said in a Facebook post yesterday.

Earlier, Ahmad Samsuri shared a photo of himself meeting with Loke on Facebook.

In the same post, the Terengganu Menteri Besar explained that his meeting with Loke discussed several matters, such as strengthening Kemaman Port and enhancing the role of ECRL in Permaisuri and Jerteh so that it can also be used as a cargo hub.

"This one-and-a-half-hour discussion in a cheerful and positive atmosphere is a sign of the need for a positive attitude in the relationship between the federal and state governments, even though they hold different political views," he said.

On April 3, the Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak announced that the ECRL construction works in Terengganu had reached 55.21 per cent progress.

He said that the construction work along the 275-kilometer stretch in the state is on schedule and expected to be fully completed by Dec 2026.

Loke added that everyone needs to acknowledge that Malaysia's political landscape has changed.

He said that both national and state administration matters should be conducted professionally and with a sense of responsibility.

"The changing political landscape in Malaysia can be seen when state governments are now under various political coalitions," he said.