PORT Dickson voters have a list of demands for Anwar Ibrahim, the man they already view as their MP because they believe his victory is as good as assured in the federal by-election to come.

Top on the list is that the future prime minister turns their sleepy, seaside town in Negri Sembilan into a bustling tourist destination.

Residents told The Malaysian Insight that Port Dickson had been neglected during the 60 years of Barisan Nasional rule. They now wish to have Anwar spur local economic growth, such as by getting the tourists in.

An hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur, Port Dickson is the city folk’s favourite weekend getaway. But apart from the beach, there is nothing to see or do here.

Cendol seller Muhammad Rahim Abd Rahman said visitors made it lively on the weekends in town, which was otherwise “dead” by 7pm during the week.

“By 7pm, we are a dead town. I close my stall at 7pm too. There’s nothing in PD at night,” the 46-year-old man said.

“I hope that after Anwar wins here, he will bring development, like how it was brought to Langkawi and Penang.”

Langkawi is the parliamentary seat of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad while Penang is Anwar’s hometown. Both places are international tourist destinations of fame.

The Port Dickson seat was vacated last week by Danyal Balagopal Abdullah of PKR, to make way for the party president-elect.

Anwar needs a parliamentary seat to return to the Dewan Rakyat and then take over as prime minister when Dr Mahathir steps down in two years.

Mohd Fazri Mohd Tahir,  a 42-year-old Grab driver, said the locals depended on tourism for a living but the place was “boring” and did not attract many tourists.

“When visitors ask what is interesting in PD, we find it hard to answer. We have just the beach and the sea,” he said.

“Foreign tourists like the Arabs like fun attractions such as theme parks.”

For years there was talk of building a theme park in Port Dickson, he said, but it never materialised.

“If there are other activities here for people to enjoy, Grab drivers like me would be able to earn more.”

The beach, especially the stretch along Teluk Kemang, is usually packed during the weekends. There is ample sun and sea to enjoy in the day but the visitor’s options for things to do dry up come sundown. Over the years, hotels on the seafront have been abandoned by the owners. 

Mohd Sufri Mohd Sah said tourism in Port Dickson would mean more jobs for the youth.

He said the locals did not care where their MP was from as long as he could bring change to Port Dickson. He pointed out that the last MP, Danyal, was from Taiping in Perak.

“We welcome Anwar to contest here. Who doesn’t know him? All we ask is that he brings change and development of a tourism industry.

“The political landscape has changed, too. There’s no point in letting the opposition win. What can they do (for us if they win)?” said the 37-year-old.

Hotel security guard T. Vellappan is also pinning his hopes on Anwar, based on the charismatic leader’s reputation.

“He is smart and open. We know his cause. We are confident he can bring something good for us here,” the 63-year-old said.

But despite their optimism at being offered a plum representative, voters also felt it was not right for the former MP to resign and force a by-election for him.

Rahim, the cendol seller, said he felt there was no need for Anwar to rush into parliament, saying he could just wait for the 15th general election.

“I feel it’s a waste to call a by-election now,” he said.

Fazri, the Grab driver, also said it was a shame voters never got to know Danyal, who won the seat in the May 9 polls.

“We never had the chance to know him better. He resigned just after four months.

“I don’t think it was right. Just wait for the next general election,” said Fazri.

The Port Dickson seat has 75,212 voters, 42% of which are Malay, 33% Chinese and 22% Indian, across five state seats Chuah, Lukut, Bagan Pinang, Sri Tanjung, and Linggi.

It has been a PKR-held seat since 2008 when it was still known as Teluk Kemang. The seat was renamed Port Dickson after the redelineation exercise.

In the 14th general election in May, Danyal won the seat with 36,225 votes, beating BN’s MIC candidate V. Mogan, who got 18,515 votes; and PAS’ Mahfuz Roslan, who received 6,594 votes. –  September 20, 2018.