More needs to be done to improve Port Dickson despite its ‘happy’ status, says Aminuddin

SEREMBAN: Port Dickson needs a lot more improvements although the resort town has been declared one of 10 happiest townships in Malaysia, says Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun.

The Mentri Besar, who is also Port Dickson MP, said although he was happy with the recognition, more needed to be done to ensure the residents as well as tourists had access to the best facilities.

“Some of the issues that need to be addressed include traffic congestion during weekends, better public facilities and infrastructure and sufficient water supply at all times.

“We are working on these things and once completed, PD residents will be an even happier lot,” he told reporters when met at an event here.

He said tourist attractions in Port Dickson also needed to be spruced up to attract more tourists.

This, he said, was important to increase the income of the local folk especially those who relied on the tourism, hospitality and services industry.

Port Dickson came in ninth in the Malaysia Happiness Index survey for 2024 carried out by the Urban and Rural Planning Department (PLANMalaysia) in collaboration with 144 local authorities.

The happiest township was Cameron Highlands, followed by Jeli (Kelantan) and Jerantut (Pahang).

Aminuddin said Port Dickson was also a good example of a township where people of various races and religious backgrounds could live in harmony.

He said more investments would be made to improve the supply of treated water in Port Dickson.

“We are planning to lay more pipes so that areas that are affected when we get many holidaymakers will no longer experience a shortage in future,” he said.

He said Port Dickson was also set to get more tourists once the construction of a RM25mil floating mosque in Pantai Cahaya negeri near here and a smart port in Dickson Bay was completed.