Date: 18-Jan-2015
It was reported that The proposal to build the iconic Kulim International Airport or better known as “KXP” will boost the economy of the Kedah people especially those living in the rural areas, said Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.
Mukhriz said the proposal to build the KXP in Sungai Petani was one of six projects planned to stimulate the economic development in the state.
“Just like the rapid growth of the northern Kedah areas within a short period after the opening of the Universiti Utara Malaysia in Sintok, it was also hoped that a similar growth would take place in our state as well as the neighbouring areas in the northern part of peninsular Malaysia,” he said.
Mukhriz disclosed this when delivering a congratulatory speech at the investiture in conjunction with the 87th birthday anniversary of the Sultan of Kedah at Istana Anak Bukit, today.
He said the people had the opportunity of securing high-paying jobs not only offered by the KXP but also other industries operating outside the airport.
Mukhriz said that the manufacturing industry and airline services, which also offered high-paying jobs, would be located beside the airport. He said the whole area between the Kulim High Technology Park and the KXP would become a manufacturing and service industry development zone, taking the opportunity from the access to the outside world created by the KXP.
Mukhriz pointed out that the declaration of the Visit Kedah Year next year would also contribute to the growth of the local tourism industry. He said after planning various strategies carefully, the Kedah state government was now prepared to implement development programmes for the benefit of the people in the state. “The drive for the transformation of Kedah has now begun,” he said.
He said the focus on the economic sector was aimed at generating funds that could be utilised to ease the burden of the low-income group so that the people who were ‘downtrodden do not remain oppressed’.
“Your Highness, your government believes in the approach to provide a fishing line to catch fish. The state’s economic growth must benefit the people directly or indirectly,” he said.
The Kedah state government emphasised on education as it believed that success in this field would open up wide opportunities for the people in the state to succeed in whatever area.
As such, he said, Kedah was allocating a substantial amount for the first time to provide on-line tuition services free of charge to almost 400,000 primary and secondary school students.
Mukhriz said the state government was also not neglecting its social responsibility and one area that was given emphasis involved the construction of low-cost and affordable homes.
