State polls: Spotlight on tourism, healthcare in Batu Maung

BATU Maung on Penang island’s southeastern tip has some of the best tourist spots including seafood havens.

Among them are the Admiral Zheng He Footprint Temple (Sam Poh Tong), War Museum, Batu Maung Aquarium, Pantai Esen ATV Extreme Park, the traditional village of Teluk Tempoyak (famous for seafood and ikan bakar) and Batu Maung Foodies 2nd Bridge.

Excellent accessibility from the mainland is assured via the second Penang bridge, which was opened in 2014.Mohamad is new to politics, having just resigned from his job as a rector.

With this in mind, a Pakatan Harapan candidate contesting in this state constituency plans to tap into its tourism potential.

Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, 49, said he would strike a smart partnership with Penang Global Tourism in promoting Batu Maung attractions.

“We will look into ways to enhance this side of the island’s tourism potential.

“Upgrading facilities and monitoring the cleanliness of toilets and prayer rooms like those at Batu Maung Foodies will be a priority.

“We plan to open up opportunities for local entrepreneurs to set up businesses in the area to help the local community generate more income,” he said.

Mohamad, from PKR, is facing Perikatan Nasional’s Bersatu candidate Azahari Aris in a straight fight.

Having quit his job as a lecturer in finance, Mohamad said he wanted to ensure people have better housing, infrastructure and job opportunities in the area.

“My approach is to go down and meet the people and let them get to know me before I deliver speeches.

Patrons enjoying the food and scenery at Batu Maung Foodies 2nd Bridge. — Photos: KT GOH/The Star

“I will listen to their feedback, opinions and advice.

“I want to help budding entrepreneurs grow here,” he said when met during one of his walkabouts in Batu Maung.

Mohamad has two PhDs – one in Islamic Finance from the Markfield Institute of Higher Education in United Kingdom and another one in Islamic Finance and Banking from the International Islamic University Malaysia.

He last served as rector of Kolej Islam Teknologi Antarabangsa in Penang.Azahari, known to voters as the mechanical engineer, was a former MBPP councillor.

“I have served people all my life in different capacities.

“I believe my expertise in risk management and finance will help me serve the people here,” he said.

Azahari, 57, is a former Penang Island City Council (MBPP) councillor who used to live in Bayan Baru.

The mechanical engineer said he knew the constituency well, although he might be new to the political scene.

“While there are private hospitals here, there is no government facility.

“The locals here need a government hospital as not everyone has the means to travel far,” he said.

Azahari, who is Penang Bersatu secretary, said besides traffic woes, he would also look into ways of boosting locals’ business.

Batu Maung is one of the three state seats under the Bayan Baru parliamentary constituency. The other two are Pantai Jerejak and Batu Uban.

Batu Maung has been held by Pakatan since 2008. In the past, the two assemblymen from PKR who won the seat were appointed Penang executive council members.

Datuk Abdul Malik Abul Kassim was state domestic trade and consumer affairs committee chairman from 2008 to 2018.

Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain won in 2018 and was appointed state trade, industry and entrepreneur development committee chairman.

In 2018, Abdul Halim polled 17,380 votes, Barisan Nasional’s Liakat Ali Mohamed Ali secured 9,063 votes and Saiful Lizan Md Yusuf from PAS got 3,153.

In this state election, the seat has 47,226 registered voters.

In 2018, Malays made up the majority of voters with 53.91%, Chinese (36.49%), Indians (8.58%), indigenous Sabahans and Sarawakians (0.64%) and others (0.38%).