MELAKA: V.P.P Shanmugam (pic), the Barisan Nasional candidate for the Gadek seat, will look into setting up a cooperative to drive agricultural activities for youths, upgrading the Gadek Hot Spring and resolving housing matters in the state constituency if given a mandate by the people in the Melaka state election on Nov 20.
Shanmugam, 52, in an interview on the Bicara Melaka segment that is managed by the BN Communications Studio, said there were many idle lands that were suitable to be turned into new agricultural areas to help the people, especially the youths, to upgrade their lives.
"We can gather a minimum of 50 people, especially the youths, to set up a cooperative. Once that is set up, it will be easier for us to seek government aid, especially the one-off grant that is provided by the government for starting agricultural activities.
"The government provides such a grant to enable any party to develop themselves and others. But we must remember that this grant must be managed properly and it must have good leadership,” he said.
The Gadek state assembly MIC coordinator said that apart from that, the area was famous for its hot springs, which had the potential to be developed and, thus, provide new opportunities for the people in the area to venture into business.
"We can develop these hot springs like the nightlife on Jonker Walk (in Banda Hilir). Entrepreneurs can set up stalls here at night. This can help the people in Gadek to increase their income but all these must be done seriously and with good leadership,” he said.
On the issue of housing, Shanmugam said although there were those who had family-owned land, not all could afford to build their homes.
"The low-income group may only be able to afford homes under the Mesra Rakyat costing RM42,000 and the middle-income group the Rumah PR1MA, which is subsidised for RM180,000 by the government. I will try to provide these facilities to the Gadek constituency to resolve the housing issues here,” he said.
The Gadek seat will see a six-cornered fight between Shanmugam, Azafen Amin (Independent), Laila Norinda Maon (Putra), B.S Mohan Singh (Independent), Mohd Amir Fitri Muharam (Perikatan Nasional) and G. Saminathan (Pakatan Harapan).
During the 14th General Election, the Gadek seat was won by Saminathan with a majority of 4,392.
The Election Commission has set Nov 20 as polling day for the Melaka state election, with early voting on Nov 16.
The election was called following the dissolution of the state assembly on Oct 4 after four state assemblymen withdrew support for the Chief Minister.- Bernama