Listen here: Zamir on the campaign trail for the Batu Buruk state seat in Kuala Terengganu.
Zamir comes out with his own manifesto to help constituency
KUALA TERENGGANU: While Barisan Nasional has unveiled a 22-point manifesto in its quest to wrest Terengganu from Perikatan Nasional, Pakatan Harapan’s Zamir Ghazali has gone one step further.
The candidate for the Batu Buruk seat has come out with his own manifesto, which contains 13 commitments specifically tailored to the needs of this seaside constituency.
Among others, the CEO of a local agriculture company plans to transform the Kuala Ibai fishermen’s village into a more organised tourist hotspot to raise their income.
“This will attract tourists to Batu Buruk’s beaches and also provide additional income opportunities for the local keropok lekor industry,” Zamir said, adding that this plan could generate an additional RM1mil a year.
He also said he wants to create more jobs for the young by setting up hydroponic produce farms.
The Terengganu Amanah youth chief’s personal manifesto reflects the aggressive campaign by Barisan and its ally Pakatan to convince Terengganu folk to choose them as the new state government on Aug 12. Amanah is part of Pakatan.
“I want to bring a new narrative to the political platform and I want to start with the constituency I’m contesting,” he said when asked why he needed his own manifesto,” said the 41-year-old.
“This way, the 40,759 voters will realise the need for a leader who can bring in benefits for their livelihoods and away from the politics of unnecessary sentiments.”
In their bid to end Perikatan’s rule in Terengganu, Barisan and Pakatan are pledging, among others, to extend the East Coast Highway (LPT) from Kuala Nerus to Besut in the north of the state. The highway, which begins in Kuala Lumpur, now ends in Kuala Terengganu.
Barisan has also promised to build 10,000 affordable housing units within the next five years, while providing assistance to repair 3,200 houses for the poor.
Barisan is also offering advance cash assistance of up to RM1,500 for undergraduate students, as well as reintroducing its free ebook initiative for primary school pupils. Terengganu pioneered the free ebook initiative when Umno’s Datuk Seri Ahmad Said was Mentri Besar in 2009.
Perikatan’s manifesto, meanwhile, dedicated a third of its commitments to funding religious institutions and infrastructure.
This includes building Taffaquh Fiddin centres (Islamic comprehension) in each district and smart township mosques, which would have socio-economic facilities.
It also pledged RM500 in aid for funeral expenses for each individual. The incumbent coalition also pledged RM10mil for agricultural businesses and a RM5mil start-up fund targeted at youths.
Terengganu Bersatu chairman Datuk Rozali Idris said they aimed to build new infrastructure if given the opportunity to continue serving. Bersatu, PAS and Gerakan form Perikatan.
“The last five years were about fixing things that were left undone by Barisan. So, if we get a second term, we want to start building up the state,” said Rozali.
Perikatan’s five years in charge have made a positive impression on ehailing driver Syeikh. “I see the current state government is balancing between physical development and spiritual progress,” said the 40-year-old.
“I hope to see the same after the state polls.”
However, Zahrah, a 32-year-old single mother, is more attracted to Barisan’s offerings based on how the coalition transformed the state between 2004 and 2018.
“Barisan left an unforgettable mark in terms of development, but these advancements were stifled after the change in state government,” said the administrative assistant at a travel agency.
Political scientist Dr Yusri Ibrahim argued that in order for either coalition to make an impact with their manifestos, the pledges must be realistic.
“Voters are so used to hearing political promises. Barisan or Perikatan must tell voters how they plan to fund their promises so the pledges sound achievable,” said Yusri of Ilham Centre.
