Perks aplenty for Perak
The country’s top two leaders swung into Perak on a whistle-stop tour, spreading good news along the way. Teluk Intan will get a new Urban Transformation Centre, and there will be plenty of affordable homes available soon – and despite claims by the Oppos
TELUK INTAN: Big things are in store for Teluk Intan, including Perak’s second Urban Transformation Centre (UTC) which will be built in the constituency.
As UTCs are a onestop facility for key government and private sector services, this spells major convenience for people living in and around the state’s third largest town.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced the approval of a Teluk Intan UTC here yesterday as part of the Government’s longterm plan to boost development over the next three years.
“It is a bright initiative that is meant to benefit the community and God willing, Teluk Intan people are next in line,” he said when launching the Teluk Intan 1Malaysia People’s Housing (PR1MA) scheme at Batu 4, Jalan Changkat Jong.
Speaking to a large crowd, Najib said he had also allocated 500 units under the People’s Housing Project (PPR).
“Once we acquire a piece of land, I will allocate 250 PPR units in the first phase and another 250 in the second phase,” he said.
The announcements from Najib came in response to Teluk Intan MP Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong, who had earlier asked for more PPR schemes, a Rural Transformation Centre and a new stadium for Hilir Perak in his speech yesterday.
Najib pointed out that the Opposition had nothing to say about its success and contributions to benefit the people, and it is for this reason that it runs political campaigns that are negative and destructive.
“Mah is a trueblue Teluk Intan boy, in comparison to the other side, (its candidate’s) heart is not here. It’s been in many places,” he said in reference to DAP’s Nga Kor Ming, the Pakatan Harapan candidate for the Teluk Intan seat.
“Now that the Prime Minister has approved 500 more units to be built in two phases, I’m sure that the people will be happy to hear this as many of them have come to me asking for PPR plans,” Mah said.
“These projects will not only bring more people into Teluk Intan, but boost the income of locals here, too.”
The new PR1MA@Teluk Intan development comprises 957 single and doublestorey housing units with an estimated gross development value of RM232mil.
Priced at between RM185,000 and RM250,000 per unit, the project is built on 60.7ha of land and is scheduled for completion by 2020.
Meanwhile, Najib also slammed the Opposition for being shameless by including 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) in its manifesto after heavily criticising it as dedak (chicken feed) all this time.
Speaking in Kuala Kangsar later, he said BR1M also existed in other countries, but known in other forms.
“In Saudi Arabia, they put the aid directly into the people’s bank account, while in Singapore, the money is credited into the people’s Central Provident Fund accounts.
“In the US, they give out food stamps.
“We give the money directly into the people’s bank account, so they can buy what they want,” he said during a “With The People” programme at Dewan Jubli.
“It is our responsibility to look after the people. They are our priority,” he said.
Najib also said: “The ringgit is expected to rise to between RM3.60 and RM3.70 to the US dollar by year’s end.
“This is noted by the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research, an independent body. Our ringgit is one of the most stable currencies in the world.”
On the new airport plan in Seri Iskandar as announced in the Barisan Nasional’s manifesto, Najib said the people of Perak need it.
Najib also slammed DAP for dropping Kepong MP Dr Tan Seng Giaw because he did not toe the party line.
“He spoke the truth and he got dropped. He went against his leaders’ wishes,” he said.
“How can this be? Where is democracy?” he asked. “And they call me cruel.”
Najib also said he did not arrest anyone, unlike a former premier who sent people to detention centres under the Intenal Security Act.
“Even my friend here also got caught. He still does not know why he got caught till today,” he said, referring to Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.
The event was attended by a big crowd, among them party members from the Kuala Kangsar, Padang Rengas, Sungai Siput and Lenggong parliamentary constituencies.
Those present included Kuala Kangsar MP Datin Mastura Mohd Yazid, Padang Rengas Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, Perak State Secretary Datuk Seri Abdul Puhat Mat Nayan, Wanita MCA chairman Datuk Heng Seai Kie and other state coalition leaders.