THE Chinese business community is warming up to Pakatan Harapan’s Anwar Ibrahim as their choice for MP in the Port Dickson by-election on Saturday.

Where two weeks ago they were more interested in what the new MP could do, instead of Anwar’s ambitions to be prime minister, they now hope that the man waiting to succeed Dr Mahathir Mohamad will boost economic development in the seaside town.

Tourism is synonymous with the federal seat in Negri Sembilan but it is no longer a thriving industry as it was before. Though there are many hotels, these have failed to generate greater economic development in the area.

See Choon Huat, the president of the Port Dickson Chinese Chamber of Commerce, said more was needed to help locals who were not involved in the tourism industry. 

“Port Dickson’s tourism industry is quiet now, and development has slowed. We need more developments here, more attractions. 

“There are hardly anyone left on the streets here once it’s night time. We hope the new MP can promote the town and attract more businesses.

“Seaside tourism is not experiencing a boom, we have been ignored for the past 19 years. Even though state executive councillors have promised development, there has been no change,” Sek said.

The town also needs more attractions to make visitors stay longer and to draw long-term residents, and better housing.

Dozens of  buses arrive every week with mainly tourists from China, but they only stay a day.

Attractions that could promote longer stays are a duty-free zone and a theme park, Sek added.

Pundits expect Chinese voters to support Anwar against six other candidates in the by-election.

His main rivals are former Negri Sembilan menteri besar Isa Samad and former Air Force man Lt-Col (Rtd) Mohd Nazari Mokhtar from PAS. The remaining candidates are independents.

The constituency, formerly known as Teluk Kemang, has 77,750 voters of whom 33% are Chinese. Malays form 43% and Indians 22% of the electorate.

So far, the only obstacle that might thwart Chinese support for Anwar is whether outstation voters would be bothered to return to vote.

Inland areas, other industries

While Port Dickson is not underdeveloped, Sek said development was uneven, with most of it being invested along the seafront for tourists, to the neglect of locals who do not live near the beach. 

The inland areas of the constituency, which houses five state seats, can be developed with light and heavy industries, he said.

For example, the area surrounding the power plant in Bukit Pelandok further inland could be an ideal place to launch other industries. Currently, the plant is surrounded by oil palm plantations.Bukit Pelandok used to have a thriving pig-farming industry but it collapsed after the Nipah virus outbreak in 1998.

Like Chinese businesses in Port Dickson town, pig farmers, too, are hoping that Anwar, as their MP and later their prime minister, can help the community revive land where their abandoned pig farms stand.

“There were no jobs here, many youngsters have gone away in search for jobs. We hope there will be more jobs here, so the area can be developed again,” a voter who only gave his name as Lim said when met at Bukit Pelandok.

He said there had been no noticeable development in Bukit Pelandok in the past 10 years, and senior citizens idled their days away.

The retiree said he hoped Anwar, if he wins, and the government, would not neglect other parts of Port Dickson like Bukit Pelandok and not just focus on developing the tourism industry.

Another voter who wished to be known as Lee said other ways of stimulating economic growth should not be neglected. 

Tourism is beneficial, he said, but locals will only truly benefit from small and medium enterprises.

“I hope he (Anwar) can bring in more investments and help spur economic growth, and turn this town into a bustling city,” said the traditional Chinese medicine shop owner. – October 9, 2018.