Khalid wants review of FEDERAL PROJECTS
(NST) – RETALIATION? Selangor govt’s move follows court decision to quash notices over dismantling of AES
SHAH ALAM: THE Selangor government may stop the Federal Government’s billion-ringgit Light Rail Transit extension project and six proposed highways in the state.
This follows the Kuala Lumpur High Court’s decision to quash the notices issued by the Sepang Municipal Council directing a company to dismantle two Automated Enforcement System cameras in Selangor on Thursday.
Apart from the six proposed highways, including the Sungai Besi-Ulu Klang Expressway, West Coast Expressway and the Serdang- Kinrara-Putrajaya Expressway, top state officials have been instructed to list other federal projects in Selangor to be reviewed.
It is understood that Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim wants to prove a point that the state, via the local councils, has jurisdiction when it comes to the construction of any structure or project in the state, although some are on federal reserve land.
Selangor State Secretary Datuk Mohammed Khusrin Munawi said under the Local Government Act 1976 and the Town and Country Planning Act 1976, any party had to seek the approval of the local council even to erect a billboard on highway reserve land.
“The menteri besar made a sudden decision to review federal projects following the court decision on Thursday.
“For instance, any project in Selangor, although it is on federal land, is still subject to state jurisdiction. That is why the state is going to file an appeal,” he told the New Straits Times.
State development officer Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh said to date, the Federal Government had spent RM5.6 billion to implement 439 projects in Selangor.
“Many development projects in Selangor are funded by Federal Government allocations rather than state funds, including the construction of roads and infrastructure as well as mosques and surau.
“Federal allocations exceeded the funds provided by the state government, which is only about RM1.63 billion,” he said.
Ghani said apart from the LRT and highway projects, the Federal Government allocated almost RM3 billion for various projects in the Parti Keadilan Rakyat-led state.
For implementing the safe city National Key Result Area (NKRA), the Federal Government allocated RM18.1 million for 107 projects.
The Federal Government allocated RM32.8 million to pay allowances to imam and other positions under the Islamic Development Department (Jakim).
“From the 2012 special provisions made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his deputy, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, RM64 million was allocated to various sectors, including the construction of 11 mosques and 47 surau,” he said.
Additionally, 5,083 people received aid of up to RM10,000 for the e-Kasih programme and RM5.04 million was spent on housing aid programmes, RM2.8 million for programmes under the Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing Ministry and another RM6.3 million under the Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Ministry to finance development projects for 600 families.
The Federal Government also covered the cost of Public Infrastructure Maintenance Projects (PIA) and Basic Infrastructure (PIAS) in Selangor through 358 projects at a cost of RM19.75 million, while another RM9.73 million was set aside for 132 projects under the Housing and Local Government Ministry.
Under the Tourism Ministry, three projects were being carried out in Selangor, costing RM3.4 million, he said.
