Azizan strikes delicate balance

KUALA LUMPUR: Ustaz Azizan Abdul Razak has no problems switching from firebrand state Opposition leader to Kedah Mentri Besar.

He has, after all, lived in kampung and urban areas, worked briefly as a fisherman, and studied in Egypt and England.

However, despite sitting comfortably on the Mentri Besar’s chair for 100 days now, it sometimes slips his mind that he is in charge of the Kedah Government.

The 64-year-old Azizan had Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in stitches several weeks ago when he told the former premier that he had just met the Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.

The amused Dr Mahathir reminded him that he was now the Mentri Besar, not Mahdzir.

On a more serious note, Azizan, a former lecturer, said having been in the Opposition for 13 years would help him manage the state better as he could now see clearly both sides of the coin.

Azizan’s greatest satisfaction after being sworn in as Mentri Besar was not allowing more than 1,000ha of padi fields in Yan to be destroyed for the proposed Petrochemical Zone.

However, as the project has the potential of raking in some RM200mil in annual royalties for the state, Azizan allowed investors to study the possibility of reclaiming land off the shores of Yan to set up oil refinery facilities.

Approval for the project, however, is subject to Environment Impact Assessment report.

He said landowners in Yan who would have been affected by the petrochemical project breathed easier after this.

Azizan’s handling of the situation reflected the striking of a balance between development pressure, community expectation and environmental protection.

To check the rising cost of living, he said the state had adopted several strategies to help ease public burden, like a 30% cut in development projects.

“The priority is for urgent projects like roads and bridges. We also do not want government agencies to make unnecessary purchase, like new cars and carpets,??? he said.

On the 15-point PAS election manifesto, Azizan said they would implement all the promises in due time.

“The Barisan Nasional Government had 50 years. We have only been in power for 100 days. We need time,??? he said.