20/10/2011 (The Star) - The Kelantan state assembly was told that two Ladang Rakyat schemes in Gua Musang had suffered losses since its implementation five years ago.

Datuk Norzula Mat Diah (BN-Paloh) claimed the Limau Kasturi and Paloh 4 schemes, that were touted to assist the people there to enhance their income by the state government, were a flop.

“The implementation of Ladang Rakyat in both areas has failed miserably and this is causing anxiety among the people there,” he said.

Norzula then asked the state government to provide the master list of the settlers and their names to ensure that participation was not limited to PAS supporters.

Deputy Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakub (PAS-Pasir Pekan), who is also the State Civil Ser- vice Administration, Land and Territory Development committee chairman, denied the claim and said parti­cipants had already received dividends from the scheme.

However, he admitted that the profits from planting palm oil trees in certain schemes were affected after destruction caused by wild animals.

Meanwhile, opposition leader Datuk Md Alwi Che Ahmad (BN-Kok Lanas) denied allegations that the Government had shelved the 69km Kota Baru-Kuala Krai dual-carriageway highway project be­­cause of political reasons.

“Contrary to popular belief, the main contractor had increased the cost of building the highway several times and the last estimate was RM2.5bil, compared with the original cost of RM1.2bil.

“Naturally, the Government could not agree to such a price and the project was left at that.

“Now, since the Kelantan Go­­vernment wants to build the highway, I welcome such a move,” he said.

State Economic Planning, Fi­­nance and Welfare committee chairman Datuk Husam Musa (PAS-Salor) said the state government begged to differ on the issue, adding that the highway should have been built and completed for the benefit of the masses.

“The state government will take its own initiative to build the highway and we are not in the business of competing with the Federal Government over the matter be­­cause the cost involved is huge,” he added.