Streram: Mat Hasan is wrong, Rantau college will boost local economy

RANTAU POLLS | Pakatan Harapan's candidate in the Rantau by-election Dr S Streram said his BN rival Mohamad Hasan's suggestion that having a college in the constituency may not be viable due to a lack of students is wrong.

Streram pointed out Rantau's proximity to Port Dickson and Seremban, stating that education institutions should not just be built in urban areas.

"It cannot be the case that we only build colleges in big towns. Rantau is near to Seremban and Port Dickson. If we build a college, youths can pursue their education here.

"Furthermore, it will also stimulate the local economy as there would be food stalls and services to cater to students," he told Malaysiakini while campaigning in Rantau today.

He was responding to Mohamad who, earlier today, said Streram's proposal was a "good idea," but pointed out that there were not many residents in Rantau.

"To build a college in Rantau, there are not many residents. We must create critical mass first.

"You can't put the cart before the horse," he had said at a press conference in Rantau today.

Mohamad said creating critical mass and making Seremban part of the Greater Klang Valley was one of his plans when he was menteri besar.

He said he created homes for people to stay first, so they could commute to Kuala Lumpur.

Subsequently, when there were enough residents, he sought to create jobs for locals so that they need not travel to Kuala Lumpur.

Streram, who had said he would discuss the issue with Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Aminuddin Harun, added that he believed there would be local demand to fill space in the college.

"I've received many proposals from interested parties to build a college here, or at the very least, a training centre.

"There have also been proposals from companies to set up youth training centres, so it is not true to say there are not enough people," he said.

Rantau voters will go to the polls on April 13.

Apart from Mohamad and Streram, two other contenders will vie to become the next Rantau state assemblyperson, namely independent candidates R Malar and Mohd Nor Yasin. - Mkini