YONG PENG: Yong Peng's development will continue with a renewed focus on addressing long-standing concerns over road safety, traffic congestion, water supply, affordable housing and employment opportunities under a 10-point manifesto unveiled by Barisan Nasional candidate Ling Tian Soon.
The incumbent assemblyman said the proposals were designed to address specific local issues that residents had highlighted over the years rather than making broad election promises.
"Anyone can say they want to make Yong Peng better, but we must identify the problems clearly and solve them one by one," he said when launching his manifesto at Ah Soon Station here on Saturday night (July 4).
Among Ling's infrastructure proposals is widening the road linking Yong Peng and Parit Yaani, which he said had become increasingly congested as traffic grew over the past few years, particularly during festive periods.
He also pledged to upgrade Yong Peng's old town by enhancing the streetscape and revitalising its traditional shophouse area to create a more vibrant town centre.
Another priority is resolving persistent water supply and water pressure problems affecting residents in Lam Lee and Kangkar Baru, while bringing more affordable housing projects to Yong Peng to help young families own their first homes.
Ling said the plans built on work carried out during his first term, when focus was given to tackling pressing infrastructure issues and laying the groundwork for Yong Peng's future growth.
"We've dealt with many urgent issues over the past few years. Now it's time to go bigger, go wider and go deeper in developing Yong Peng," he said.
On economic development, Ling said more than 50 parcels of land had begun the process of being converted from agricultural to industrial use.
"When these industrial areas are developed, our children and grandchildren will be able to find jobs in Yong Peng instead of leaving for work elsewhere," he said.
Ling also pledged to tackle environmental issues associated with the constituency's poultry industry through scientific and long-term solutions.
He noted that Yong Peng produces about 15% of Malaysia's eggs, while around 10% of Singapore's egg supply also comes from the area.
He also proposed developing an FT001 Tourism Golden Route linking Yong Peng with nearby towns such as Ayer Hitam, Simpang Renggam, Machap and Labis, saying the initiative would strengthen the area's tourism.
