AS residents in rural Nenggiri can look forward to getting automated teller machine (ATM) soon, PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari is curious at how coincidental the timing of the Finance Ministry (MOF) extending such facility which coincides with the looming state by-election.
Acknowledging reports about the hardship of Nenggiri folks in accessing ATMs, MOF had in a statement issued Saturday (Aug 10) – exactly a week prior to the polling day (Aug 17) – said the activation of these machines will be expedited to ensure the public has access to the basic facility.
“MOF has completed discussions with several local banks to provide ATM services in Nenggiri and the response has been positive,” the ministry pointed out, noting that it will continuously engage local banks to identify improvements, particularly to ensure expanded access to ATM services.
It was reported recently that Nenggiri residents have to drive nearly 45 minutes to access the nearest ATM which is about 50km away in Gua Musang which happens to be the parliamentary constituency that Nenggiri falls under.
But Fadhli is little convinced with the ‘sincerity’ aspect of the so-called good deed. While not disputing the importance of the ATM facility in Nenggiri, the Pasir Mas MP is wondering why an announcement has to made during the by-election campaign period.
“If you want to install an ATM machine, by all means do so No obstacles,” he penned on his Facebook page.
“It is also possible to build a Tesla factory (in Nenggiri) or even to bring Elon Musk (billionaire Tesla founder) for a survey after the discussion with the Prime Minister we love. But doesn’t making an announcement during this by-election campaign period violate your own principles? Or have you become a man without principles?”
Recall that in the run-up to two recent state by-elections, the so-called Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional (PH-BN) alliance was criticised for having dished out election goodies, ie to folks of Sungai Bakap and Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) respectively.
In the quest to wrest Sungai Bakap from incumbent PAS in the July 6 by-election, media advocate Rasuah Busters had lambasted the unveiling of a RM17.75 mil federal grant and RM290,000 allocation for nine mosques and 20 surau – of which the funding would be derived from national coffers.
However, the above funding dwarfs that of the May 11 Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) by-election which included the colossal RM75 mil federal funds for the construction of houses for about 250 estate workers’ families in five estates in the Hulu Selangor parliamentary constituency.
The Nenggiri by-election features a straight fight between Kelantan UMNO Youth chief Mohd Azmawi Fikri who is representing the unity government and Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Mohd Rizwadi Ismail from Bersatu (see main image). – Aug 11, 2024
Main image credit: Bernama
