PUTRAJAYA: Issues of urban poverty and hardcore poor, as well as petty traders and hawkers, will be given priority by Dr Zaliha Mustafa in her new post as Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories). 

The former Health Minister assumed the post following a cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim last Tuesday.

Dr Zaliha said she would focus on ensuring the Federal Territories continue to progress and prosper.

 “The prime minister has always given attention to the problem of hawkers and petty traders when he repeatedly said that urban development cannot marginalise hawkers and petty traders,  including the provision of comfortable infrastructure and facilities for them,” she added.

She told this to the media before attending a briefing by officials from the Federal Territories Department and its agencies here today.

 Dr Zaliha said she would also focus on issues regarding the development of Kampung Baru, the Federal Territory’s preparation for Visit Malaysia Year 2026 and its 50th anniversary next year.

In terms of economic development, she said, the focus would be on Labuantowards developing it into an economic and tourism hub.

-- BERNAMA