CM PROMISES TO RETURN MELAKA TO FORMER GLORY
NSTP reporters BADRUL HIZAR AB JABAR and FAIRUZ ZAIDAN speak to Melaka Chief Minister Adly Zahari on his plans for the state
THREE weeks after being sworn in as the 11th chief minister of Melaka, Adly Zahari shares his plans on fulfilling Pakatan Harapan’s promises to the people and his vision for a “Melaka Berwibawa” (Excellent Melaka)
Question: What are your initial views on the state administration since you were appointed as chief minister three weeks ago?
Answer: After assuming the role, I wanted to find out the actual position of the state government with regards to its administration and financial management.
We have entered the second phase in our effort to meet and evaluate agencies under the state government. This is to ensure the vision and mission of the agencies are in line with PH’s aspirations.
I instructed local authorities to reduce the rental for Ramadan bazaar trading lots, which resulted in the Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council and Majlis Bandaraya Melaka Bersejarah returning RM84,000 and RM300,000 in deposits collected.
The state administration has resumed the scholarship scheme for those pursuing studies in the Middle East.
We are also looking at sending four students to compete in an international Wushu tournament in Brazil. We are also establishing a committee on competency to boost integrity and accountability.
We have set aside RM1.6 million for this year’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations compared with the RM3.3 million spent by the previous administration.
Q: What is your main focus in honouring the pledges made in the Melaka PH’s election manifesto?
A: The state PH leadership made 20 pledges, which were divided into 80 initiatives, and we plan to implement them in the next five years. During the state executive council meeting, we formulated portfolios based on our election promises to ensure that the pledges could be implemented in the next 100 days, within a year and so on. Among the promises include providing “Rumah Berkat” homes for newly-weds in the low-income group.
We have identified two options to implement this — using the state government’s assets, such as houses built under the peoples’ housing programme, or developing new housing units on land owned by the state administration.
Q: What are the factors taken into consideration by the Melaka PH leadership when choosing “Melaka Berwibawa” and “Pintar, Hijau, Bersih” (Smart, Green, Clean) as the new theme and slogan?
A: Based on historical facts, Melaka has always placed high standards in investment, economy and political strength, stability and will. Melaka was always ahead in terms of financial and infrastructure, with abundant employment opportunities.
However, the same cannot be said now. The state is strategically located along the Straits of Malacca and the state leadership has the will and determination to return the state to its former glory.
We are rearranging our strategy and strength according to the “Pintar, Hijau, Bersih” slogan in our effort to transform Melaka into a “smart” city.
I have also met people who are interested to equip dams in the state with solar technology infrastructure to generate “green” energy without utilising land.
The new administration is also bent on boosting cleanliness in the state.
Q: What is the future plan by the PH government to stimulate the economy and tourism sector in Melaka?
A: Physical development and the tourism sector in Melaka is growing, and this is reflected in the planned reclamation projects involving 3,642ha of land.
We have decided to continue with these development programmes. The first phase for the construction of Melaka Gateway, which should have been completed this year, is in the reclamation process and the project is six months behind schedule.
We believe there is great potential in the tourism sector for Melaka, which received almost 16 million in tourist arrivals every year. Having said that, we are looking into developing new locations into tourist spots. We have conducted meetings with environmental experts on ways to improve the quality of Sungai Melaka.
I have issued an instruction that no reclamation could be carried out at islands in the state. This is in line with the efforts undertaken by the Chief Minister’s Office to turn Pulau Upeh into a turtle rehabilitation zone. We are of the view that Pulau Upeh has the potential to attract more tourists to the state.
Q: Is there any key performance indicators fixed by the state government for the finance, land, economic planning and Islamic religious portfolios, which are under the prerogative of the chief minister? A: Under the land portfolio, I had decided to change the 99 years lease for land owned by Malays and Bumiputeras into permanent holdings under Melaka customary land (MCL).
For the new village land or 99 year lease, the land owner can renew their lease, as it will increase the value of the land and generate more revenue for the state government through quit rent premium.
As for the investment sector, the state government plans to have only three ports — Linggi, Tanjung Bruas and Marina in Melaka Gateway — rather than nine ports as planned by the previous state government.
On another of my portfolio, I had conducted meetings with the Melaka Islamic Religious Council on the appointment of new administration and management of mosques to be conducted in a more democratic manner. Members of the mosque’s committee should be chosen by the kariah members of the respective mosque, and not by the village development and security committee or any other political entity.
Q: Pakatan Harapan has captured 15 state seats while Barisan Nasional (BN) has 13. How do you see the balance between the state government and opposition numbers?
A: We just have to do the best we can with the simple majority that we have. I hope the 13 BN representatives can play their role as an effective opposition. We are in a good position, considering that Pakatan Harapan has also taken control of the Federal Government.
Q: Can you share some of the factors that led to BN’s defeat in Melaka?
A: The main reason was the people’s anger over the rising cost of living and also the Good and Services Tax.
Many were also pushing for change after seeing the corruption here. The people saw all this and rejected BN.
Q: What is your stand on some controversial projects, including the Melaka Gateway, coastal highway project, sea reclamation and other similar mega projects?
A: I have no issues in continuing with such projects. I just want to ensure the projects achieve all the targets which had been set.
Q: What will your focus be in the next state budget?
A: It will be on reducing the people’s burden. We will also focus on the 28,000 people who are depending on welfare aid in the state. We want to uplift this group and help them out of the poverty.
We also want to reduce bureaucracy in the state administration. This includes allowing people to directly apply for aid at the Welfare Department instead of going through the wakil rakyat or village heads. We also need to look at ways to increase state government revenue and look into lopsided joint venture agreements.
Q: The state government has introduced the “Hari Bersama Rakyat” (A Day with the People) programme every Friday. What is the purpose of this initiative?
A: Our aim is to listen to what the people have to say. This will be extended to other levels, including government agencies, in the future. I want to ensure problems faced by the people in dealing with the administration are addressed quickly.
Q: One of the biggest problems in Melaka is the traffic, especially on public holidays and weekends. How are you going to deal with this problem? A: Several measures are being implemented. This includes the construction of the flyovers in Ayer Keroh and Peringgit.
We will review the traffic flow system to reduce the bottlenecks.
We are also looking at the feasibility of introducing trams in the state. We found that a monorail is not suitable as it involves a high cost. We will study all the options and seek funds from the Federal Government to realise the plan of introducing trams.
I have also started talking to the bus services provider to increase the number of buses to ensure greater efficiency.