KOTA BARU: The federal government has offered a loan of RM1.7 billion to help Kelantan resolve its water woes.
Caretaker State Works, Infrastructure, Transport and Utilities Committee chairman Datuk Azami Mohd Nor said the payment methods had not been discussed yet.
"During our meeting with the prime minister two months ago, the state government has sought more than RM8 billion to address the water supply problem in Kelantan, but the unity government has agreed to allocate us RM1.7 billion first.
"Latest information that l received is that the allocation will be given in a loan package which needs us to pay back within a certain period or methods.
"Other states are given allocation in the form of a grant, but why Kelantan gets it in the form of a loan?" he said.
The Pas Kadok candidate said this in his welcoming speech at a ceramah this evening.
He said the meeting with the prime minister was held between him and Datuk Ahmad Yakob, who is now the caretaker menteri besar.
"For the sake of the people, the state government will take the RM1.7 billion loan.
"After this state elections, we will meet the prime minister again to discuss the matter," he added.
In June, Ahmad attended a meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to resolve the state's water woes.
The meeting was held at the Perdana Putra building and was chaired by the prime minister.
