KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has rejected accusations that the federal government is sidelining Terengganu, asserting that over RM1.8 billion worth of development projects have been approved for the state under the current national plan.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Terengganu Madani Rakyat 2025 programme on Saturday, Anwar described such claims as politically driven and untrue, warning that divisive rhetoric only harms the people.
“If there are people giving talks in any village, claiming no projects, please explain the approved allocation of RM1.836 billion,” he said at the event in Kuala Terengganu, as quoted by Bernama.
The prime minister said a total of 445 programmes and projects had been approved in Terengganu under the Fifth Rolling Plan (RP5) of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), with this year’s allocation reflecting an increase of RM239 million compared to 2024.
While acknowledging that some projects face delays due to issues such as land acquisition or environmental assessments, he stressed that progress was ongoing and based on thorough planning.
Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, said among the key projects currently being implemented are broadband internet expansion in Hulu Terengganu and Besut, set to benefit over 15,000 households, as well as RM300 million in upgrades to the state’s water distribution system—targeting 98 per cent piped water access by year-end.
Another RM2.24 billion has been earmarked for flood mitigation, estuary conservation and coastal erosion control.
“I also discussed with the Menteri Besar that we must find new technologies to prevent this erosion from continuing to occur so that preventive measures can be expedited,” he added.
Without naming political opponents, Anwar cautioned against what he described as misleading narratives aimed at eroding trust in the federal administration’s commitment to Malays and Islamic values.
“For example, the accusation that we do not want to help the Malays or that the Islamic economy is currently challenged… Terengganu has more than 90 per cent Malays, but I didn’t choose it (for this programme) because of that. The state has recorded excellence in education and other fields,” he said.
He said the government’s priority was on delivering meaningful development, regardless of state-level political alignments.
“In this country, if there is cooperation and focus on important matters, we will be safe. But if we are still hanging around with negative campaigns, it will not help,” Anwar said.
During the event, he also witnessed the handover of a RM158.6 million replica cheque from the Finance Ministry to the Works Ministry, marking an allocation for federal road and slope maintenance in Terengganu.
The three-day Madani Rakyat programme, which concluded Saturday, was aimed at strengthening federal-state collaboration and connecting government services, ministries, agencies and GLCs directly with the public. – July 12, 2025