KOTA BARU, Nov 21 — The growth rate amounting to 4.8 per cent recorded by Kelantan last year was a result of the support and the various development projects and aid provided by the federal government.

Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed (BN-Ayer Lanas) said the Barisan Nasional-led federal government spent a total of RM6.3 billion, comprising RM5.2 billion for operating expenditure and RM1.1 billion for development expenditure in Kelantan last year.

"The Kelantan government, on the other hand, spent only RM961 million last year. Note that the ratio is 6:1 or to put it simply, the federal government spent RM6 for every RM1 spent by the state government,” he said when debating the 2018 state budget at the State Assembly sitting here today.

Yesterday, the state government presented the state budget for 2018 with an estimated deficit of RM41.74 million from revenue collection of RM696.90 million.

Speaking to reporters later, Mustapa, who is also International Trade and Industry Minister, said he was disappointed when the state government appeared unappreciative of the aid and assistance rendered by the federal government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Mustapa said the federal government had given so much to Kelantan, especially in completing local authorities projects, which were failed to be implemented by the state government.

"Under the constitution, the federal government does not have to complete those projects, such as the construction of wet markets, public parks or even mosques, but we did it anyway for the convenience of the people.

"We are sad because there were so much that had been done by Najib now compared to the time of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (former prime minister), but still, the federal government remained unappreciated,” he added. — Bernama