Kelantan lagging behind under PAS rule, rue Harapan polls candidates

STATE POLLS | Several Kelantan Pakatan Harapan candidates have expressed concern about the state constituencies they are contesting in the upcoming state elections, lagging behind in many aspects under PAS’ rule in the last 33 years.

Amanah’s Kadok candidate Azizan Abdul Razak said some 15 years ago, the area, which falls under the Ketereh parliamentary constituency, was more developed than its neighbours.

“I was born and raised in Kadok, and I see how the situation has changed for the worse now. Kadok used to be more advanced than the neighbouring Kok Lanas constituency, but now it’s the opposite.

“This is because a lot of infrastructures have been developed in Kok Lanas by the BN representative,” Azizan told Malaysiakini in an interview recently.

According to him, Kadok lacks basic amenities like proper street lighting, a drainage system, internet coverage, and public markets.

“There used to be two markets here, but now, there are none. In fact, even the Kadok signage (that denotes the area) is crooked.

“All these are made possible by 15 years of PAS rule, including by a representative who’s also a state exco member in charge of infrastructure,” he lamented.

Kadok assemblyperson Mohd Azami Md Nor

Azizan will face incumbent assemblyperson Mohd Azami Md Nor on Saturday.

He said Kadok can be an example of how far behind a place can be when its elected representative is not in line with the federal government.

‘Cowboy town’

The Harapan candidate for Pengkalan Pasir, Rushdan Mustafa, voiced similar concerns in the constituency.

According to him, the town is currently in the process of transitioning to a new location, namely Bandar Baru Lubok Jong, as an administrative centre.

“In the process, Pasir Mas appears gloomy. The town is so quiet now, and without proper planning by the elected representative or political party, it stands the risk of becoming a dead town, or ‘cowboy town’.

“At the same time, the town is also plagued with floods, caused by broken drainage systems, and never-ending hygiene management issues. Pasir Mas used to be a proud town, but now, there’s nothing to be proud of,” he said.

Rushdan Mustafa

Harapan’s Temangan candidate also Abdul Kadir Othman related how he received complaints from the rakyat on issues pertaining to agriculture.

“In the Machang parliamentary constituency alone there are more than 2,000 acres of paddy fields neglected without supervision from any agencies.

“Therefore, the manifesto presented by Harapan and BN for this state election would include the establishment of North Kelantan Development Corporation, which would give a second lease of life to paddy farmers," he said.

Temangan is part of the Machang parliamentary constituency, currently held by Bersatu’s Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal.

If elected, Kadir pledged he would boost the paddy farmers’ yield, which he said is lagging far behind the industry in Sekinchan, Selangor, among others.

Abdul Kadir Othman

“In addition, I also get a lot of requests for an ATM, as currently, the locals have to travel far out to Machang or Tanah Merah to withdraw money,” he added.

Fisherfolk issues

For Che Mat Isa Che Dir, the candidate for Tawang, which falls under the Bachok parliamentary constituency, his main concern is the requests for a jetty by fisherfolk in the area.

Throughout the campaigning period, this is the most common issue voiced by the locals, he said.

“Almost 80 percent of locals in Tawang fish for a living and there are two old, badly maintained jetties there.

“They just want the jetties to be upgraded for comfort and safety. Besides, they also asked for recreational parks, a mini stadium, and better road maintenance,” said Che Mat Isa, who’s a lawyer by profession.

Che Mat Isa Che Dir

What matters now is for Kelantan folk to embrace the “change Kelantan” challenge so the expected changes can be implemented when Harapan-BN administers the state in line with the federal government, he added. - Mkini