Taking Bentong forward

The bigger picture: Liow explaining the impact of transport developments to residents, business owners, local councillors and other stakeholders at the MPB hall in Bentong.

BENTONG: Residents and stakeholders here will have six months to give their views and wishes on the future development of the town.

The early publicity stage for the Bentong Local District Draft Plan 2035 (Replacement), which will see dialogues and workshops organised by the Bentong Municipal Council (MPB) and PLANMalaysia, kicked off yesterday.

Several infrastructure projects along the East Coast, such as the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) and the Central Spine Road (CSR), are expected to impact Bentong.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said Bentong was a gateway to the rest of the east coast as well as a satellite town for the Greater Kuala Lumpur region.

“With the ECRL and the CSR, travel times will be shortened and we need to ensure that we don’t end up becoming a concrete jungle,” he said, adding that Bentong should focus on agro-tourism and eco-tourism.

“Without economic development, our youth will continue to leave for the city. We want to bring them back to help take Bentong into the future,” he said.

Liow, who is also Bentong MP, fielded questions from the public on topics ranging from the participation of local contractors in the ECRL, its impact on nearby housing and the upgrading of the KL-Karak Highway.

For MPB president Datuk Mohammad Shahid Ismail, the two main issues will be housing and tourism development within the 183 sq km district, which had a population of 114,397 (as of 2010).

“The ECRL and CSR will shorten travel times between here and the Klang Valley and we’ll become something like Nilai. So, residential planning will be a major topic for us,” he said.

For long-time Bentong resident Mun Swee Ying, 76, her main wish is to see the town pursue its development in a sustainable manner.“I’ve been living here since birth and we’d like to see the natural beauty kept,” said Mun, adding that she would take part in such sessions if given the chance.

Speaking to the press on reports that Gerakan would be sending 90% of its new candidates to Penang for the general election, Liow said MCA was ready to help the state Barisan Nasional machinery.

“We have our seniors and young candidates, too. What is more important is that we let Penangites know how DAP has failed to fulfil its promises,” said Liow.

Pointing to the illegal factory in Sungai Lembu, Liow said Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s actions did not match his promises.