TITI: Chennah remains a work in progress for its three-term assemblyman Anthony Loke, who says he has more plans to develop the state seat about an hour’s drive from Seremban.
Located in Jelebu, Chennah is well known for its Hakka delicacies as well as eco resorts which allow tourists to experience agricultural activities.
Loke said he planned to create a tourism brand to draw more visitors, boost the local economy and raise the town’s profile.
Recounting the first time he won Chennah in 2013, he said DAP was in the Opposition and lacked government resources, forcing it to drive local development through creativity.
Tourism promotion and community activities had gradually put the area on the map.
“In the past, apart from locals, few outsiders knew this place. Today, Chennah has become a spot for weekend and holiday visitors,” he said on the campaign trail here yesterday.
Loke, who is also Transport Minister, said DAP’s constituency work did not begin only when elections drew near.
As an example of how his federal role benefited residents, Loke cited local development efforts including the construction of a new teaching block at Chung Ying Primary school in Chennah and assistance given to groups and religious institutions in obtaining funding.
He said the campaign was personal, a proof of how far his turf had come.
“Look at our bus terminal now – it is beautiful. This is our city,” he said.
Loke held the Lobak seat for two terms from 2004 before moving to contest Chennah in 2013. The seat is made up of 46.3% Malay, 44.3% Chinese, 2% Indian and 7.41% others.
He won Chennah with a 1,098-vote majority in 2013, a 1,155-vote majority in 2018 and a 2,200-vote majority in 2023.
Loke, who is seeking a fourth term, faces a straight fight against MCA’s Chennah-born newcomer John Siow Kong Chun in a seat with 14,422 registered voters.
At a recent DAP dinner, he said he could have returned to the comfort of a safe seat like Lobak but chose to defend the rural constituency.
Loke also said he was fighting to keep Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun as Mentri Besar, saying:
“He is friendly, he is not arrogant, he is not corrupt, he does not have millions in the bank.”
