ALOR SETAR: The PAS-led state government is not making any sense by demanding RM100mil from the Federal Government to ensure that no logging occurs in the water catchment areas, Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said.
Mukhriz said Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak was trying to divert public attention by blaming the Federal Government for the state's widespread logging.
“Azizan was trying to evade the issue. Even if he brings the matter to court, he will not win because there was no written agreement for compensation to be accorded,” he said after attending a briefing here.
He was commenting on Azizan's demand that the Federal Government should pay Kedah RM100mil annually if the authorities did not want the state to approve any logging projects.
Azizan had claimed that there was a verbal agreement over the payment between the two parties when Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was prime minister.
Mukhriz also questioned why the state government kept pushing for agriculture when the state had the Kulim High-Technology Park, which was among the best manufacturing facilities in the country for high-impact industries.
He said after Pakatan Rakyat took over the state, Kedah recorded a massive drop in foreign and domestic direct investments.
In 2007, Kedah was among the top five in the country, with about RM14bil in investments, but the state could only rake in about RM10bil from 2008 until 2011, he said.
Kedah Umno Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Paduka Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah described Azizan as arrogant.
“How could he give an ultimatum to the Federal Government? As Mentri Besar, he should have not behaved in such a way,” he said yesterday.
Kedah Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang said the state was desperate for money.
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