IPOH: Famous for its pomelos and hot springs, Tambun now has another claim to fame in the newly appointed Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Folk in this town, which is just 15 minutes away from Ipoh city, are eager to meet their new Member of Parliament and Prime Minister when he comes back to his constituency.
Since winning the Tambun parliamentary seat in the 15th General Election on Nov 19, Anwar has been busy, first with his new appointment and now with forming the new Federal Government in Putrajaya.
He is expected to return to Tambun this weekend to thank his voters.
Congratulating Anwar, Tambun Pomelo Growers Association adviser Tan Swee Kong said they were hopeful of meeting him to settle their land issues.
“He understood our problems as most of us have told him about these during the election campaign.
“As he was not the MP then, he could not make any promises, but he is now Prime Minister, so we are really hopeful that he can help us,” he said, adding that there were over 100 growers with land issues.
“Land, to us farmers and growers, is our rice bowl, and it is quite a matter that requires urgent attention,” he said.
Tambun, said Tan, was a blessed land with good “feng shui”, which he believes helped Anwar win and become the Prime Minister.
“Whoever becomes the MP here will become a minister, just like (former MPs) Datuk Seri Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah and Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu,” he said.
Ahmad Husni used to be the Second Finance Minister before the 14th General Election, while Ahmad Faizal, the Bersatu deputy president, was the former Youth and Sports Minister.
Chemor Modern Farmers Association chairman Tan Tean Chee hopes that Anwar can first form his Cabinet.
“We are at ease now that he has won. More importantly, it is up to him whether he wants to meet us,” he said, adding that Anwar’s team was already in contact over their land issues.
Asked about Anwar’s itinerary in Tambun this weekend, Hulu Kinta assemblyman Muhamad Arafat Varisai Mahamad said plans were under way.
“We will inform the media once (his itinerary is) confirmed,” he said.
