Amanah vice-president Datuk Mahfuz Omar has challenged Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor to explain the actual progress of mega projects announced in the state since 2020.
Mahfuz said Sanusi’s description of Budget 2027 as a “candy budget” raised questions about whether assistance that reaches the people is less valuable than announcements of projects worth billions of ringgit.
“What is wrong with the government giving candy to the people if the assistance genuinely reaches them? Wouldn’t that be better than making the people continue waiting for the results of mega projects announced since 2020?” he said in a statement.
Mahfuz stressed that providing assistance to students, improving people’s incomes, implementing flood mitigation projects and upgrading public facilities were government responsibilities, rather than merely attempts to win votes.
He said the people could not pay their water bills with figures showing billions of ringgit in investments, send their children to school with project announcements or enjoy development simply by looking at pictures and signboards.
He also questioned the progress of several development plans for Kedah, including the proposed Kulim International Airport (KXP), a high-speed rail project in Langkawi which he said had been cancelled, and a previously announced racing circuit.
“We are not against mega developments for Kedah, but project announcements must not move faster than their implementation.
“The people want to know when projects will begin, when they will be completed and when they can enjoy the benefits. Success should not be measured by the number of zeroes in investment figures, but by how many of the people’s problems have been solved,” he said.
Mahfuz added that assistance provided by the Madani Government also benefited Kedah residents and should not be dismissed simply because of political differences.
He challenged Sanusi to explain whether the assistance received by the people today was less useful than billion-ringgit projects whose benefits they were still waiting to see.
“Do not become so busy counting other people’s candy that you forget to check whether your own promises have become reality.
“The people cannot eat sarcasm. They need results. If assistance is called candy, make sure the people get to enjoy it. If mega projects are called development, make sure the people see the results, not just the wrapping around promises,” he said.
