YONG PENG: Having been around for over a decade, Ling Tian Soon has a visionary five-year plan for Yong Peng with a focus on post-pandemic recovery.
Dubbed the ''Next Five Years for Yong Peng'', the Barisan Nasional candidate, fondly known as Ah Soon, revealed his three-prong approach manifesto aimed at improving the economy, community infrastructure and lives of the people.
''We are moving towards focusing on the post-Covid-19 recovery.
''We see that most of the micro, small and medium enterprises that make up the most businesses in Malaysia, are still facing problems to come back or restart their business.
''Improving the livelihoods of the people will be the main focus and now it's the time for us to start working hard for the next five years,'' he said at the launch of his manifesto at his Teratak Ah Soon community centre here on Sunday (March 6).
Also present to show support were MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon and representatives from the business and social groups in Yong Peng.
Under the approach to improve the economy, Ling said he wanted to strengthen Yong Peng as a tourism hub.
''There are many unique attractions, homegrown products and specialities in Yong Peng that we can expand and promote.
''We want people to 'think tourism, think Yong Peng' and come here to explore.
''This will encourage more local entrepreneurs, including the youths to be creative and come out with their own products and services,'' he said.
With many fruit and vegetable farmers around, Ling said Yong Peng has what it takes to become an important national granary.
''With this vision, I want to introduce high-tech and efficient farming in Yong Peng, such as using drone technology in the fertilising and surveillance process. 'I aspire to have the first drone flying training centre in Yong Peng, as flying a drone is governed by laws,'' he said.
Under the approaches of improving community infrastructure and the lives of the people, Ling said these aspects will enable the locals to embrace modernisation and improve their standard of living.
''For example, the presence of an urban transformation centre (UTC) here means it'll be easier for the people to settle any official matters.
''When the road condition is good, visitors are keener to stopover in or come to Yong Peng.
''When the community is doing good, lives and livelihoods improve,'' he said.
Ling said that his manifesto was crafted after gathering views from the locals and various groups, whose aspirations of a better Yong Peng are vital for its future.
''These aspirations will take more than just Ah Soon to deliver.
''I ask that everyone in Yong Peng come along, let us make more people see Yong Peng's difference and greatness,'' he added.
Dr Mah, who has been campaigning for MCA candidates contesting the state election, said he was thrilled to see Ling's enthusiasm as well as the people's love for him.
''Almost everyone I spoke to in Yong Peng has only good things to say about Ah Soon, that he's capable.
''He is truly a hard worker who gives his 100% to create a community for all.
''It is indeed touching to know,'' he said, adding that the people in Yong Peng would not go wrong with supporting Ling to be an elected state representative.
''Let's empower Ah Soon by choosing him, one who has always been around, and make this community even greater,'' said Dr Mah.
Ling, 38, will be in a three-cornered fight against Susan Yong from Gerakan in Perikatan Nasional and Alan Tee Boon Tsong from DAP in Pakatan Harapan in Yong Peng.
In the previous general election, Ling lost to DAP’s Chew Peck Choo with a 5,089 majority.
Chew has recently announced her retirement from politics to focus on her family and DAP is fielding Tee, who is former Senai assemblyman.
