November 07, 2009 17:21 PM

Compassionate Payment To Be Channelled Through Federal Department

PASIR PUTEH, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- The compassionate payment to Kelantan will be channelled through the Federal Development Department to implement projects in the state, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin said.

He said the payment was a manifestation of the federal government's desire to help the people of Kelantan.

"Kelantan people should be thankful of the decision," Awang Adek told reporters after receiving a key for a van for Bachok Umno division in Perupuk here Saturday.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced that the government would pay compassionate fund to Kelantan from next year from the offshore oil production revenue starting next year.

Kelantan has said that the state should be paid with oil royalty instead and not a compassionate payment.

Awang Adek said that Kelantan had no right to receive oil royalty as the two oil wells were located 150 nautical miles off Kelantan waters.

-- BERNAMA

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