Kedah Menteri Besar Azizan Abdul Razak does not believe that the federal government would trouble the five state governments formed by PAS, PKR and DAP.

He also does not believe that development plans implemented by the state governments would be hampered.

He said that other than owing the federal government RM2 billion, the Kedah government also bears other expenses and thus, it is necessary to make the best use of natural resources to bring in revenue. Thus, the state government cannot give up projects like logging.

We need income, the federal government can't prohibit logging or to have land retention by force. Of course we will observe all rules and regulations, he said.

Azizan did not deny that the state government needs assistance from the federal government and did not believe that the federal government would have an uncooperative attitude.

He also expressed his optimism about the new Cabinet and he believed that the new Cabinet will maintain a good relationship with the five state governments formed by PAS, PKR and DAP. The five state government referred to Kedah, Kelantan, Perak, Selangor and Penang.

PAS only ruled Kelantan in the past but the Opposition gained five states' regime today and therefore, it would be quite impossible for the federal government to not be cooperative to all five state government, said Azizan.

He explained that the government set limitations to logging in the past because Kedah was responsible for water supply in the four states of North Peninsular. Thus, forests needed to be protected for the constructions of dams. At the same time, the state government would have to ensure sufficiency in rice supply which limited development as paddy fields needed to be reserved.

Azizan said the two hundred ringgit debt to the federal government was left by the former state government but the Coalition Government formed by PAS and PKR will not evade responsibility to repay the huge debt. Therefore, the state government will have to increase income to sustain development expenses, as well as for debt repayment. (Sin Chew Daily)