SUNGAI PETANI: As several attractions and interesting places are available in Kedah, candidates contesting in the 15th general election (GE15) for the Merbok parliamentary seat are vowing to promote the constituency as a tourist destination.

One of the attractions that has a unique history that many are unaware of is the Sungai Batu Archaeological Site which is located in Merbok, some 16 kilometres from here.

Candidate from Pakatan Harapan (PH) Nor Azrina Surip said this ancient Kedah Tua civilisation would also be able to make the country proud at the international stage.

"The Sungai Batu Archeological site which was proven through carbon dating is older than the Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia. We used to have a great human civilisation.

"This site is like a diamond that should be regarded with great respect because its history is intertwined with the history of the world and the site is of outstanding universal value," she told Bernama here recently.

Meanwhile, Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Datuk Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin, said Merbok is endowed with natural beauty that can be developed as an eco-tourism destination in Kedah.

In addition, he said the Tanjung Dawai area within the parliamentary constituency is well-known for seafood products such as salted fish and belacan which could also attract visitors to Merbok.

"Tanjung Dawai needs to be upgraded further by any leader who will be given the mandate in this parliamentary constituency to help residents boost their income," he said.

For Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Mohd Nazri Abu Hassan, a new bridge needs to be constructed across Sungai Semerling to reduce traffic congestion on the existing bridge.

"Apart from that, with the increase in costs of living, priority must be given to finding ways to help the population in addition to providing business opportunities for young people," he said.

There will be a five-cornered fight for the Merbok parliamentary seat between Nor Azrina, Shaiful Hazizy, Mohd Nazri and two others namely, Datuk Mohammed Mosin Abdul Razak (Pejuang) and Khairul Anuar Ahmad (Warisan).

-- BERNAMA