Allocations for Tanjung Piai are not sweets to entice voters, insists Johor MB

PONTIAN: Allocations handed out by the Pakatan Harapan government for the Tanjung Piai parliamentary constituency is not a form of gula-gula (sweets) to garner votes in the coming by-election, says Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal.

Dr Sahruddin said this after announcing a total of RM11.75mil's worth of allocations for the constituency.

“The late Datuk Dr Md Farid Md Rafik worked hard to ensure that development in the Tanjung Piai area could be increased.

“There is no gula-gula. It was Dr Md Farid’s request,” he said after launching the High-Density Polyethelene (HDPE) system for local saltwater fish manufacturers at the Kukup International Ferry Terminal on Friday (Nov 1).

He also appeared unfazed by criticisms from the Opposition over the allocations being announced just as the campaigning period for the Tanjung Piai polls is about to begin on Saturday (Nov 2).

“When we do something good, it’s also wrong. That is normal for the Opposition but it must be remembered that what I announced today is a mock cheque requested by the late Dr Md Farid,” he said.

There were two mock cheques presented by Dr Sahruddin during the event.

One was for RM8.75mil meant for the construction of multipurpose halls and upgrading of infrastructure in fields in five areas – Kampung Rambah, Kampung Sungai Karang, Kampung Maju Jaya, Kampung Sawah and Kampung Ulu Pulai.

The other was for RM3mil meant for the construction of five school halls – SMK Sri Kukup, Sk Andek Mori Serkat, SK Batu 24 Jalan Johor, SK Jeram Batu, SK Pangkalan Raja, and SK Parit Haji Adnan.

Dr Sahruddin had earlier visited the fish breeders in Pulau Kukup who were affected by the monsoon season.

He said two new cages with the HDPE system worth RM115,000 funded by the Johor state government would be built on the island.

Last month, it was reported that preliminary investigations by the Fisheries Department found that the cause of death for some 100 tonnes of fish in Pulau Kukup was due to pollution as these were being bred too close to the shoreline.

Dr Sahruddin said the Drainage and Irrigation Department, as well as the Fisheries Department, would be conducting a site study. Fish breeders, he added, might be ordered to breed their fish further from the shoreline.

“The Department of Environment and the Drainage and Irrigation Department are always monitoring the pollution rate in rivers in the state.

“But all parties must play their role. Industry players and the Drainage and Irrigation Department must work together,” he said.

Last month, Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun announced the installation of 264 street lamps in the rural areas of Tanjung Piai for RM127,776 and grants worth RM230,000 for village chiefs.

At the same time, Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman announced the allocation of RM4mil to upgrade six futsal courts and one football field in the same parliamentary constituency.

On Oct 21, Agriculture and Agro-based Minister Salahuddin Ayub also announced an allocation of RM3mil to upgrade jetties in Tanjung Piai.

Last Oct 28, Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced RM14.7mil in allocation for 17 projects in the same constituency.

Prime Minister and Pakatan Harapan chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had previously defended the allocations for Tanjung Piai, saying that it was just a “coincidence”.

At present, the Tanjung Piai polls is shaping up to be a three-cornered fight between MCA’s 55-year-old Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng, Pakatan’s 66-year-old Karmaine Sardini, and Gerakan’s 38-year-old Wendy Subramaniam.

Tanjung Piai is a mixed seat with 53,528 registered voters comprising 57% Malays, 41.66% Chinese and 1% Indians.