Manogaran wants to ease traffic congestion in Camerons
CAMERON HIGHLANDS: M. Manogaran has eyes on the roads if he wins the battle of the hills.
Speaking to reporters after the nominations at SMK Sultan Ahmad Shah here, the Pakatan Harapan candidate in the by-election said more parking spaces were needed to prevent visitors from parking by the roadside and causing jams.
He also felt it was necessary for the district council to control the issuance of trading permits and maybe relocate the traders to help ease congestion.
“Tourists and locals alike complain about the traffic jams near Kea Farm and Brinchang.
“We need the people’s support now to ensure that we can have a thorough passageway between Kampung Raja and Brinchang.
“Other issues include temporary occupation licences (TOL) for farmland, employment opportunities, floods, landslides and a sustainable town plan,” he added.
The lawyer and state DAP deputy chairman said he would also look into proposing a dam safety commission and legislation to ensure the safety of the people.
Manogaran, who was the former Teluk Intan MP from 2008 to 2013, vowed to look into making amendments to the National Land Code on TOL-related matters as well.
He said some farmers had toiled the land for about 40 years and it no longer made sense to issue TOLs.
Meanwhile, Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Barisan would not just focus its campaign on Jelai but try to cover as much ground as possible.
Jelai, one of two state seats under the parliamentary constituency, is represented by Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, who is state Umno chief.
“Merely focusing on the area will not guarantee us a win,” said Mohamad, adding that Barisan would cover all 30 district polling centres.
Met later after a ceramah at Kampung Mensun in Pos Mensun, Ramli said he would not debate his fellow candidates.
“What is there to debate? They (Pakatan) threatened to take away my people’s salary,” he said, referring to the threat allegedly issued to some Tok Batin by orang asli senator Bob Manolan Mohamad on Friday.
During a Bersih 2.0 ceremony to sign pledges for a clean and fair by-election after the nominations, its chairman Thomas Fann said they were planning to have a live debate involving the candidates.
Asked about his absence at the event, the ex-cop said: “You tell me, my opposition PH, are they clean? “I assure you that I will be clean.”
The other three contenders signed the pledge.
Fann said Ramli was not against the pledge but was merely tied down by a tight schedule.