Amanah rep plays up migrant bogeyman to oppose hostel project

 

An Amanah assemblyperson is opposing plans to build hostel complexes to house migrant workers in Penang, for xenophobic reasons.

Describing it as a ticking time bomb, Azrul Mahathir Aziz (Pakatan Harapan-Bayan Lepas) said the proposed hostels in Teluk Kumbar and Sungai Batu have caused concern of social ills.

"The people (of Teluk Kumbar and Sungai Batu) are worried about the social problems that would ensue such as safety issues, economic problems, religious problems, and facility sharing.

"The most worrying part is the locals would feel confined and would feel like minorities in the middle of Teluk Kumbar International City.

“We do not want these foreigners to become part-time fishermen, open stalls in the pasar malam (night markets), and disrupt the livelihood of the locals," Azrul (above) was quoted as saying by FMT.

He said this during the Penang legislative assembly sitting today.

Concern over children’s safety

Azrul was reported as also expressing concern that his children's safety would be jeopardised as there are several schools in the vicinity of the proposed hostels.

Local residents previously voiced opposition against the project.

Penang state executive councillor Jagdeep Singh Deo was reported as saying the hostels would resolve issues of migrant workers living in housing areas populated by locals.

Responding to Azrul on Twitter, North-South Initiative director Adrian Pereira asked whether the former's fears were grounded in reality.

"Where is the evidence or basis of such xenophobic allegations?' Pereira asked. - Mkini