GE15: Kedah's only DAP contender wants to turn Jerai into tourism, heritage hub

ALOR SETAR: Kedah's sole DAP candidate Zulhazmi Shariff plans to develop Jerai as a tourism and heritage hub in Kedah if he is elected.

"My intention is to make Jerai a stopover for tourists on their way to Langkawi.

"We have the Jerai Geopark, homestays and a great view of the paddy fields, these can be good tourism products for the state," he said.

The 47-year-old lawyer said the spillover from tourism would benefit the locals by increasing their income.

Upgrading the infrastructure and Internet connectivity in this parliamentary constituency were also among his campaign pledges for GE15.

Contesting for the first time, Zulhazmi – a former PAS Youth exco member – said his main aim in winning is to improve the economy.

"Here the Chinese, Indians and Malays conduct their business side by side and they have no problems.

"I don't see any issues here that (allow) racial sentiments to be provoked," he said when contacted Friday (Nov 18).

He said as DAP's only candidate in Kedah for GE15, he hoped voters will choose him based on his service and not considerations of race or party.

In fact, he added, his campaign had been well received by the local community so far.

He believed Jerai voters are mature and progressive enough to back him although he is representing Pakatan Harapan.

"This is evident from previous elections where we witnessed Malay-majority seats changing hands several times between PAS and Umno," he said.