Besides the RM25 million wang ehsan, Kelantan will get a bigger allocation than other states under the Tenth Malaysia Plan (10MP).

Deputy Finance Minister Donald Lim Siang Chai said Kelantan was among a number of states which would be getting bigger allocations to implement several infrastructure and economic development projects in the 10MP period.

"The allocation for Kelantan takes into consideration current developments where the poor in the state need more help to get out of poverty and be on par with people in the other states," he said after opening the Gua Musang MCA division delegates' conference at the Kampung Baru MCA Hall in Gua Musang today.

He said the priority given to accelerate growth under the 10MP, would be to the building of roads and upgrading the existing ones to facilitate movement not only in the rural areas but between towns.

"The federal government has never sidelined the state (Kelantan) although it is ruled by PAS," he said.

Lim, who is also MCA vice-president, however added that the exact amount of allocation for Kelantan under the 10MP had not yet been determined as some matters had not been finalised.

On another matter, he said the government would get the views of various quarters including non-governmental organisations before deciding whether to issue a licence for sports betting.

"This is to avoid negative perception and also to safeguard the image of the country."

He said although some groups had voiced objection to the proposal to legalise sports betting, the government needed to study the matter thoroughly in order to get a clearer picture of the implications.

"The government will not be hasty in issuing the sports betting licence.

"While some want the application to be approved fast, others are against the move. That's why we need more views to decide what's best for our society," he said.

- Bernama