The Malaysian Insight

THE Kelantan government is not begging for alms or handout from Putrajaya but merely seeking what was due to the PAS-led government, said the Islamist party’s president Abdul Hadi Awang. 

Hadi said the state government was only asking for its dues when it requested RM97 million from Putrajaya to pay its civil servants’ salaries and settle outstanding bills.

“This is the responsibility of the federal government. In the concept of federalism, we need to understand that Kelantan is part of it. 

“Kelantan pays taxes like road tax, for clothing and food. These taxes are collected by the Customs Department which the federal government then takes. 

“This is our responsibility. We are not asking for alms (sedekah),” Hadi told reporters at the Parliament lobby today. 

He was responding to Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng’s statement earlier that Kelantan asked for RM97 million in June from the Pakatan Harapan government. 

A total of RM24.5 million was meant to pay civil servants’ overdue wages and bills past their 14-day deadline. However, the government only approved RM22.5 million.

The PAS-led Kelantan government will still survive even if the federal government does not provide the funds, Hadi said.

“All state governments have debts, not just us. We have been settling our debts during our 28 years in power and we will deal with this now.

“I do not think Penang would be able to do it,” Hadi said, taking a swipe at Lim, who was Penang’s chief minister for two terms.

As for the delay in payments, Hadi reasoned there were delays from the old Barisan Nasional administration which have been resolved. 

“They (BN) purposely delayed (the payments)... so the Kelantan government does not pay the salaries. But, the issue has already been resolved.”

The Marang MP added that Putrajaya should also give back oil royalty to Kelantan and not just only look at Sabah and Sarawak.

“Kelantan also deserves to get royalty. Do not pay Sabah and Sarawak alone,” Hadi said. 

Lim today showed a copy of the advance request from the Kelantan treasury. The letter stated that if the funds were not approved, the state would not be able to pay all its staff.

Yesterday, Lim refused to retract his earlier remarks stating that Kelantan was short of funds to pay its civil servants. Lawmakers from Kelantan had accused Lim of picking on the PAS-ruled state. – October 24, 2018.