Kuala lumpur: The government has approved 46 projects for the Pasir Puteh parliamentary constituency in Kelantan for 2026, with a total allocation ceiling of RM207.2 million. These include developing downstream industrial infrastructure to support activities near the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) cargo station.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Deputy Economy Minister Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah stated that the approved projects include land preparation and infrastructure development for the Pasir Puteh downstream industrial area, aligning with efforts to leverage the ECRL as a catalyst for local economic growth.
"The development of the area surrounding the Pasir Puteh ECRL Station is being planned in an integrated manner under the ECRL Integrated Land Use Master Plan (PGTA-ECRL), with the station identified as both a hub for passengers and cargo and logistics,' he said during the Dewan Rakyat's oral question-and-answer session.
He was responding to Datuk Dr Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh (PN-Pasir Puteh), who inquired about the government's willingness to support the Kelantan state government's efforts to develop downstream economic activities around the Pasir Puteh ECRL Station, which would bring significant benefits to the local community.
Mohd Shahar emphasized that the synergy between the rail facilities and the port could potentially attract investments, create job opportunities, and stimulate local economic growth. He added that the government not only provides development funding but also stresses the impact of development spending in narrowing the development gap between regions.
"Under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), we are not only focused on the projects themselves but also on the strengths of each locality. If a location's strength is logistics, we will focus on logistics. If it is tourism, then tourism infrastructure will be prioritized," Mohd Shahar elaborated.
He further mentioned that projects under the 13MP will commence this year and continue through 2030 in response to Nik Muhammad Zawawi's question on timeline implementation. The progress of these projects will be monitored via the MyRMK system and reported to the Dewan Rakyat periodically.