The area of Bernam Valley has vast potential to be turned into a new development area known as Bernam Valley Development Area, according to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

He said he would take the proposal for the development to the federal government as the valley covers the areas of Kuala Selangor, Tanjong Karang, Sungai Besar and Sabak Bernam in Selangor, as well as Tanjung Malim and Bagan Datoh, Perak, which had vast potential to be developed.

"These areas used to be lagged behind, but (Selangor Barisan Nasional chairman) Tan Sri Noh Omar and I have a big plan to develop this area.

"It is because our areas have potential for new development," he said at a gathering and buka puasa programme with orphans and senior citizens in Sungai Panjang, here Tuesday.

He said if the proposal was accepted, each area would be developed to enable the people to enjoy development and improve their social status.

Ahmad Zahid, however, did not specify when he would take the proposal to the Cabinet.

Instead, he said if all elected representatives in the areas involved had strong support from the locals, then the tabling of the proposal can be expedited.

"If our elected representatives have strong support from the people, InsyaAllah (God willing), the development of the areas can be expedited and more projects will be enjoyed," he said.

Meanwhile, he said even though Selangor was not under BN's rule, the presence of BN representative, Budiman Mohd Zohdi, contesting in the Sungai Besar by-election would ensure the continuation of efforts taken by the late Tan Sri Noriah Kasnon.

"If the people in Sungai Besar chose our candidate, that means that they want to see a continuation of development projects as brought to the constituency before," he said.

"We know that the continuity can be done not only by the state assemblymen, but the impact would be bigger if the elected Members of Parliament are also the representatives of the federal government," he said.

That way, he said the federal government would be able to give continuous commitment in channeling appropriate allocations to the Members of Parliament to develop their constituencies.

"InsyaAllah, if Budiman is elected as the Sungai Besar MP, I promise to go to the ground and I will bring along appropriate allocation for development," he said.