GE15: Wee unveils five-point pledge for Ayer Hitam

BATU PAHAT: MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong has launched a five-point pledge for people of the Ayer Hitam parliamentary constituency, including turning central Johor into a land transport hub through the construction of a Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR) station in Ayer Hitam.

"If the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore HSR project is agreed to by both countries, I will fight for the construction of a station in Ayer Hitam because it is a strategic location to boost the local economy," he told reporters after launching the pledge here last night.

The Transport Minister said if given a fresh mandate he would also turn Yong Peng into a modern agriculture hub, promote investments and new achievements, enhance the tourism sector and get the involvement of youths as the catalyst of the future.

Wee said he was committed to helping farmers by promoting modern agriculture programmes, especially in Yong Peng, and providing training on smart agriculture technology, apart from promoting plantation industries like oil palm, durian and fruits to boost the economy and people's income.

The Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for Ayer Hitam in the 15th General Election (GE15) said efforts to attract investors to set up big factories in the constituency would create more jobs for the locals.

On tourism, Wee plans to harness the unique natural attractions of Yong Peng, Paloh and Bekok to turn central Johor into a "Golden Triangle of Tourism".

Wee also promised to help make available more opportunities for higher studies and offer scholarships to youths.

Ayer Hitam is witnessing a three-cornered fight involving Wee, Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali of Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Muhammad Syafiq A. Aziz (Perikatan Nasional).

Wee, a four-term MP, won the seat in GE14 by a majority of just 303 votes, beating Liew Chin Tong (PH) and Mardi Marwan (PAS).

-- BERNAMA