Govt urged to give update on economic corridors

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NST Online » NewsBreak
2008/07/16
Govt urged to give update on economic corridors
BERNAMA
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KUALA LUMPUR, WED:

The government has been urged to update the nation on the current status of the economic corridors launched last year now that the country’s economy is feeling the effects of a global crisis.
Razali Ibrahim (BN-Muar) said the goverrnment should tell Parliament if it has an alternative or plan B for the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER), East Coast Economic Region (ECER) and Iskandar Malaysia.

“The oil price hike and current political situation have changed a lot of things. The government must tell Dewan Rakyat if it has a plan B to address the global situation,” he said when debating the Supplementary Supply Bill (2008).

Datuk Mohamed Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) interjected and urged the government to shelf less important projects so that the money allocated could be used to help the poor.

Razali said the government should get the local population involved in the economic projects as this would help improve their income.
“The federal government has made a strategic plan but sometimes, the local people are left out. They must be involved from the projects to reap the benefits.

“It must also say what are the returns targeted and the job opportunities to be made available. This is important to ensure that the corridor initiative is not delayed,” he added.

Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi (BN-Batu Pahat) also want the government to ensure that the local population enjoy benefits from the economic corridors.

“We welcome the corridors particularly Iskandar Malaysia in Johor which has already taken off. The state administrative centre at Nusajaya is near completion. I hope the people will get to enjoy the riches.” He proposed that affordable housing projects be built in the economic corridor so that the middle income group would also get to enjoy the benefits just like the foreign investors.