SG4: 'Is it wrong to gain wisdom from a figure like Tun M'?

KUALA NERUS - Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar has denied that the formation of the state-government four (SG4) cooperation is an attempt to oppose the Federal Government.

He said that during the first meeting between former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Terengganu state government officials, Dr Mahathir did not touch on political matters in his speech.

"Is it wrong to seek knowledge from individuals with notable achievements?

"Dr Mahathir only discussed administration and how to improve efficiency.

"Don't we remember that during Dr Mahathir's previous tenure as prime minister, there were certain achievements.

"So, is it wrong for us to seek knowledge from individuals who have achieved certain successes?

"In 2018, the Terengganu government also appointed the late Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, who had been the Selangor Menteri Besar, a state that has made significant progress, as an unofficial adviser to assist Terengganu in boosting its economy and other matters.

"So, I don't understand (the issue of appointing Dr Mahathir as an unofficial adviser). Maybe it's driven by jealousy or resentment from certain quarters," he told reporters after the opening ceremony of the Government Administration Complex, Bandar Al-Wathiqu Billah, here today.

Ahmad Samsuri also added that there is no issue of disrespecting the Federal Government due to the cooperation between the state government and the central government still running smoothly.

"Where is this issue of disrespect? I need clarification because what we are doing is trying to find as many ways as possible to improve the economic level and reports and related matters in the states governed by these four states.

"At this point, we are working closely with the federal government through various agencies and ministries, and even at the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project level, there is close cooperation between the state government and federal agencies, and we are always in meetings.

"Last week, I had a meeting regarding the ECRL. So, I don't understand why and where this issue of disrespect is coming from because I believe that in order to achieve a goal, we should use various methods as long as the objective can be achieved quickly," he said.

On Sept 14, Ahmad Samsuri announced that the four states under the Perikatan Nasional (PN) administration agreed to establish cooperation known as SG4 with Dr Mahathir.

He said that Dr Mahathir would play an unofficial role, especially in connecting SG4 with foreign investors such as Japan and Korea.

Yesterday, a local media outlet reported that the formation of an SG4 administered by PN seemed to be aimed at opposing the Federal Government.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) Governance, Technology and Information Razak centre Associate Professor Mazlan Ali said that choosing Dr Mahathir as an advisor would send a negative message between opposition states and the government.