JASIN: Residents living in the Asahan constituency have to cope without any petrol stations and banking facilities.

       For the more than 30,000 people in the state constituency which covers about 214km sq, the only petrol station is in Selandar, a 30-minute drive from Asahan town.

       Rosiah Osman, 50, says this has affected the daily life of residents and their transportation needs.

       "I am also puzzled by this. I have heard many times that a petrol station is going to be built here and in fact, a spot has been marked for one.

       "But until now, it has been quiet. People working outside Asahan fill their tanks in Jasin or Selandar town or even Tangkak before returning home," she lamented when met by Bernama here.

       As an alternative, the people of Asahan buy petrol in plastic bottles to use in case of emergencies.

       She added that it was baffling that nobody has stepped forward to help solve the problem.

       Rosiah said this was opportunity for a businessman to turn the station into a goldmine by providing services apart from just selling petrol.

       She said Asahan is the route for those who want to go mountain climbing in Gunung Ledang from Melaka or if they want to enjoy the Asahan waterfall.

       "I believe value-added services like having a petrol station will attract more tourists to use this route," said the food stall operator.

       Apart from Gunung Ledang, Bukit Batu Lebah in the Senggeh Forest Reserve has also attracted hikers from outside the state, including the Laman Tiga Budaya where the border stone marking Negri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor is placed.

       Asahan boasts of hilly terrain and has many tributaries originationg from Gunung Ledang. Many residents are involved in agriculture, planting rubber, oil palm, banana, durian and vegetables.

       Tan Chee Shin, 52 who is among the 15,745 registered voters in Asahan, said the fast-growing agriculture sector means that farmers and traders need a bank to carry out their financial transactions.

       Tan, who is staying in Chabau, said he has to travel to Tangkak or Jasin which takes him about 30 minutes if he wants to use banking services.

       "An ATM with a cash deposit facility is good enough. It would make it easier for residents to withdraw or deposit money. Not many use online banking here as the majority here are not young people who are more comfortable with online banking," he said.

       In the Melaka state election, the Asahan state constituency will see a six-corner clash involving Fairul Nizam Roslan (Barisan Nasional), Danesh Basil (Perikatan Nasional), Datuk Seri Idris Haron (Pakatan Harapan) and independent candidates Mohd Noor Salleh, Azmar Abdul Hamid and Mohd Akhir Ayob. – Bernama