A sum of RM2.6 million has been collected from the public until May this year to build a people's highway between Kota Baru and Kuala Krai, estimated to cost RM2 billion.

State infrastructure, utilities and information technology committee chairman Hanifa Ahmad said today that the Kelantan government was confident of collecting RM50 million soon for the project.

"This is because we believe that not only the people of Kelantan will assist us but all Malaysians. We have also been informed that a donor from an Arab country will also contribute," he added in reply to a question from Mohd Fauzi Abdullah (PAS-Manek Urai) at the state assembly sitting in Kota Baharu.

Hanifa said the first package of the project involving 29km from Machang to Kuala Krai would commence next month.

To a question from Noor Zahidi Omar (BN-Pengkalan Kubor), Hanifa said the first phase was expected to be completed within three years.

He also said that the state government was willing to cooperate with the federal government in building the 73km people's highway.

The Kelantan government had in May last year, launched the project estimated to cost RM2 billion, which would be collected through public donations.

Meanwhile, the state government denied that it had taken away customary land of the Orang Asli to implement the Ladang Rakyat project in the state.

In reply to a question from Ab Aziz Yusoff (BN-Nenggiri), Menteri Besar Ahmad Yakob said the 25,000 hectares of land involved were actually state land located close to the Orang Asli settlement.

- Bernama