Hutan Melintang can go far, DPM tells plantation voters

BAGAN DATUK: Jendarata Plantation voters should give Barisan Nasional a chance to represent them for the next five years, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Deputy Prime Minister said even though the Opposition had held the Hutan Melintang state seat for two terms, there was no progress in the area.

Dr Ahmad Zahid, who is defending Bagan Datuk for the sixth term, said any development that occurred in Hutan Melintang was largely due to the private sector.

“I hope Jendarata voters will give me and Barisan candidate Datuk Khairuddin (Tarmizi) a chance to serve them.

“The twoterm incumbent (S. Kesavan from PKR) is good. He is also my friend, but he has gone to contest in Sungai Siput,” he said in his speech when meeting about 300 people, mostly Indians, from the United Plantations estate in Hutan Melintang yesterday.

Also present were United Plantations Bhd (UPB) chief executive director Datuk Carl BekNielsen, UPB executive director of marketing and finance Martin BekNielsen, former my PPP president Tan Sri M. Kayveas and Khairuddin.

Dr Ahmad Zahid said UPB had agreed to offer a 40ha land in Hutan Melintang to be developed as a new town.

“Between Simpang Empat and Pekan Bagan Datuk, there will be Bandar Baru United Plantations. We will see Bagan Datuk progress in the next five years.

“I asked for 5,000 units of houses to be built within five years to accommodate some 10,000 job opportunities,” he said.

Dr Ahmad Zahid also praised the management of the plantation company for looking after the welfare of workers, such as providing them with housing facilities.

Later, he proposed a new name – Bandar Baru Seri Melintang – for Hutan Melintang.

“I want to see more rapid development from Simpang Empat to Sungai Tiang here.

“I will supervise this new development,” he told reporters after a walkabout.

When launching the Kee Society Building in Taman Lagenda, Dr Ahmad Zahid assured the people that the Government would resolve problems involving the issuance of birth certificates and identity cards.

“This is not an election promise, it is for those who are eligible to get citizenship so that they can be given education opportunities,” he added. — Bernama