KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the federal government still insisted on giving compassionate fund to Kelantan because it believed there were people in the state who wanted the aid.
"We will give (the compassionate fund), the federal government will give the aid to whoever accepts, whoever does not want it it is up to him, definitely there are people who want the aid," he said.
Speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting of Umno's Supreme Council here Thursday night, Najib, who is also Umno president, said the federal government would ensure the aid was distributed in transparent manner to those eligible to receive it.
"Aid to the people of Kelantan will be given and we will give to those want to receive it.
"We want to give it to the people...the bottomline is that we want the people to benefit (from the compassionate fund)," he said when asked about the poltical implications concerning the awarding of the compassionate fund for the people of Kelantan.
He said the federal government would stick to its stand on the provision of the compassionate fund and not oil royalty, which was claimed by certain people should be given to Kelantan.
"We have a clear stand on what is decided based on the Federal Constitution and the country's laws and according to legal experts, nothing that can be put forward (by Kelantan) can make us feel that the government's decision is not right," he said.
Najib said the under the Ninth Malaysia Plan, the government had allocated more than RM7 billion to Kelantan for development eventhough the state was under opposition rule.
He was asked to comment on the action of Gua Musang Umno division chief Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah who continued to question the action of the Federal Government in relation to oil-royalty for Kelantan.
On whether Umno will take action against Tengku Razaleigh, Najib said Umno's supreme council will hear the opinions of party members before making any decision.
Meanwhile, Najib said the meeting also discussed current developments in the party including emphasis on party machinery and its Juara Rakyat programme, which would be extended to Perak and other states.
The meeting was also informed that as of Jan 31, 2010, Umno's membership stood at 3,526,952 and that the party was still in the process of updating its membership list.
Asked about the proposed amendment to the Barisan Nasional's constitution to allow direct membership to individuals and groups into the coalition, Najib said the meeting was informed about the matter but it would only be discussed at the BN Supreme Council meeting.
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