Guan Eng Lauds PM's Assurance To Continue Mega Projects

BUTTERWORTH, March 15 (Bernama) -- Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has welcomed the assurance by the Prime Minister to continue all the mega projects planned by the federal government.

He said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had made the right decision in line with his position as the prime minister for all Malaysians.

"I welcome the prime minister's decision to proceed with all the projects planned in line with his responsibilities as the prime minister, not only for Umno or Barisan Nasional (BN), but for all Malaysians, including for people who did not support the BN (in the March 8 general election)," he told reporters after visiting the Apollow Market here today.

Replying to a question on the implementation of mega projects planned by the federal government in an interview with Bernama TV yesterday, Abdullah had said all the projects would be continued as it was the government's promise to the people.

"These are federal government projects. The powers of the federal government covers all the states in Malaysia. We'll implement what we've promised as it's our responsibility to all the states.

"I will not withdraw them, but will instead ensure their smooth implementation," the prime minister had said.

Guan Eng said the prime minister's decision would ensure Penang's unimpeded development as the state's progress would also fuel the country's prosperity.

"If Penang develops, Malaysia will also prosper, (but) if Penang regresses, Malaysia too will follow suit," he said.

Guan Eng, who helms the non-Barisan state government, hoped the prime minister would advise Penang Umno leaders to accept the DAP-PKR-PAS coalition state government without any vengeance.

"The non-Barisan new state government disagrees with plans to topple the state government as this government has the two-thirds majority support of the people. Umno says it wants to topple the state government. The people's verdict (in the general election) must be respected," he added. -- BERNAMA