KOTA BAHARU, March 29 – Frequent demonstrations on land issues that broke out in many locations by the rakyat in Kelantan show that the PAS government has failed to resolve the problem. International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed(Pic) said state government leaders also did not show seriousness in resolving the issues that had long persisted.
“In fact, PAS leaders often create excuses such as illegal land settlements by settlers who do not have land titles and so on,” he said after a dinner with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) For Non-Malays, here last night Mustapa said: “Whatever the reasons may be, we do not see the state government’s efforts to show its seriousness in resolving the issue.
At the ceremony, the minister, who is also chairman of the Kelantan Barisan Nasional (BN), presented cheques amounting to RM135,000 for all NGOs present. About 5,000 people gathered in front of the Istana Balai Besar here, to hand over a ‘Memorandum of Protest and Mazlpractices by the Kelantan Pas Government In the Land Issue’ to the Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V, yesterday.
Previously, the landowners also held peaceful demonstrations to protest against their land acquisition in Tanah Merah and Gua Musang. Mustapa, who is also the Kelantan Umno Liaison Chairman, said the land issue was most frustrating and as a BN leader, he looked at the issue seriously because it was a burden to the people in Hulu Kelantan, including indigenous community.
Mustapa said it was the people’s right to raise their grievances against the ineffectiveness of the state government in resolving the issue. Speaking on matters concerning the Chinese community and other non-Malays, he said he was happy with the approach taken by the Kelantan BN in finding time to meet with the community which gave a positive picture for a change in the state government in the upcoming general election.
He said that although the non-Malay voters in Kelantan made up only about five per cent of the constituents, their role in determining victory for the BN in the state was important.
BERNAMA
