Candidates seek to uplift youth, improve infrastructure in state constituency
MELAKA: A shipyard project expected to create 1,500 jobs is among the key developments incumbent Datuk Lim Ban Hong hopes to see through as he seeks another term in Kelebang, while his Bersatu challenger Datuk Seri Mohamad Ali Mohamad is focusing on local issues affecting residents.
Lim, who is defending the seat for Barisan Nasional, said the shipyard project, with a development value of RM1.8bil, is expected to be completed in 2028.
“I hope local youths will be given priority for employment so that the community can benefit from the investment.”
Lim also wants to ensure that the RM43.5mil Bukit Rambai irrigation project proceeds as planned.
Expected to benefit about 418ha of padi fields, the project is scheduled to begin in early 2027 and be completed by 2029.
“The project covers padi-growing areas beyond Bukit Rambai, including Kampung Pinang, Batang Tiga, Bukit Kecil and Stulang Daeng,” he said in an interview, adding that land acquisition for the irrigation canal route was underway.
Lim identified better-paying jobs, affordable housing and education as the three main concerns among young people.
Lim said he wanted to connect young people with training opportunities, including technical and vocational education and training, to equip them for changing industry needs, particularly in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and big data.
On the local economy, Lim said Klebang Walk had grown to accommodate more than 400 traders and hawkers.
He hopes to further improve the area and attract more visitors, creating greater opportunities for small traders and hawkers, particularly young people.
Mohamad Ali, a former senator and deputy president of Dewan Negara, is making his first bid for the seat under Bersatu.
Born and raised in Klebang, he said his priorities included infrastructure, community welfare and economic opportunities.
He highlighted poor road conditions, drainage and flash floods, as well as irrigation problems affecting farmers in Bukit Rambai and Kampung Pinang, particularly those involving the Pam Air Penggalak and water distribution.
He also raised a land ownership issue involving 13 houses and a burial ground in Batang Tiga Timur.
Other proposals included installing CCTV in schools, supporting small traders and local G1 and G2 contractors, and reviewing fishermen’s licensing issues and boat routes.
“Development is also about solving the problems that people have been living with for years,” he said.
The four-cornered contest also involves Pakatan Harapan’s Farzana Hayani Mohd Nasir and Bersama’s Young Jie Yu.
Polling is on Nov 14, with early voting on Nov 10.
