Don't stop 'The Greater Kedah' plan - Sanusi

ALOR SETAR - Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor hopes that no one will try to stop his wish to make Kedah known as 'The Greater Kedah'.

He said every state has the right to plan its own future to boost the economy and ensure that the people's welfare is guaranteed through the state development plan.

He said the plan for 'The Greater Kedah' is an idea to replenish the glory of Kedah, through the available resources in the state in addition to implementing various projects that had been planned.

"I believe it's not impossible and difficult for Kedah to become 'The Greater Kedah' within 15 years.

"For that reason, when there is an effort to prevent us from achieving this, we will work hard to ensure the obstacles can be overcome based on facts and truth," he told Sinar Harian here, today.

Sanusi stated that as the state government's leader, he has the authority to express Kedah's wishes and take a stand.

"I want to develop Kedah as 'The Greater Kedah' in a short period of time, and I do believe we can realise it but there are some parties who belittle this wish.

"We have the right to determine the fate of our state. We shouldn't end up being an insignificant state, only contributing to another 'greater' state. I hope people in Kedah can help make this wish come true," he said.

Sanusi added that if 'Greater Penang' can become part of the federal government's policy for an economic growth centre in the northern region, then Kedah is also entitled to the same.

"We didn't stop 'Greater Penang' because it was already planned and implemented. So don't become obstacles when we are planning the same for our state.

"We don't want to be a side state or a contributor to 'Greater Penang.' In this regard, I don't agree because Penang depends on a lot of resources from Kedah, including manpower and water resources.

"So why can a state that depends on other states be made into 'Greater Penang' as a catalyst for growth in the North when Kedah does not depend on anyone? I think the regional development planning in Malaysia is unfair," he explained.

In the meantime, Sanusi said 'The Greater Kedah' is a blueprint for Kedah 2035 that blends the concept of 'Kedah Sejahtera Nikmat Untuk Semua'.

"I believe it is reasonable to target Kedah, as the state has various resources needed to become a great state in the northern region," he said.

He said the state's rich resources can contribute towards realising these wishes. Some of the resources are: forest resources, water, land for agriculture and industry, abundant energy resources, a good infrastructure network, in addition to a new airport and port.

"This includes the plan to achieve Kedah Maju 2035, which is Kedah Aerotropolis, Kedah Rubber City, and Bukit Kayu Hitam Special Border Economic Zone (SBEZ), which are high impact projects," he said.

Sanusi stressed that 'The Greater Kedah' is a Kedah development network that not only focuses on the agricultural sector, but also on development and economic progress, investment, the implementation of high-impact projects, efficient communication networks, and the scholarly growth of 'The Cordoba of Kedah'.

"It's not impossible that all coalitions will become pioneers towards creating 'The Greater Kedah' and it will become a new reality for this state," he said.