BN has big plans for Batu
By Muhammad Afiezy Azaman
KUALA LUMPUR, April 26 (Bernama) -- Forming part of the south of Kuala Lumpur city, the Batu parliamentary constituency cannot avoid complexities that urbanisation brings with it.
Housing, infrastructure, cost of living and security issues as a result of urban sprawl are perennial in the area populated by 42.50 per cent Malay, 38.28 per cent, Chinese, 17.80 per cent, Indian and 1.42 per cent, Others.
As regards the 14th general election, Batu has 76,328 voters who need to be convinced by candidates of the contesting parties that the latter could resolve such issues.
Datuk Dr Dominic Lau Hoe Chai who is Barisan Nasional (BN)'s candidate for Batu is aware of the uphill challenge but remains optimistic that his earnestness in wanting to help improve the quality and standard of living of the constituents will shine through.
The Gerakan vice president who has been nominated for the second time is confident that the engagements he had been carrying out in the constituency since the last general election would translate into votes for BN on May 9.
Although Batu was not under BN, he said, the government had never treated it as a 'stepchild'.
In 2014, Lau established a Youth Camp to motivate students to pursue higher education and in 2016, he introduced a 1Malaysia Plan for the constituency focusing on the poor, traders, spiritual activities and residents' security.
"In 2017, I continued with executing the plan and strengthening cooperation with other component parties," he told Bernama.
Lau is also planning to set up a cultural tourism centre if the people gives him the mandate in GE14.
He said the community of different race and religion in Batu was rich in culture that could be promoted alongside the historical houses of worship.
With the implementation of the River of Life and Blue Pool project along Gombak River that also passes through the area, Lau is mulling to create a Batu Walk, similar to the popular Bintang Walk in Bukit Bintang.
Meanwhile, Batu BN in its GE14 manifesto promised to build a Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama (SMKA) in Batu Muda apart from a number of routes for free bus rides from northern Batu district to PPR Intan Baiduri, Taman Wilayah Selayang, Taman Desa Bakti and to UTC Sentul.
Batu is among the constituencies that has the highest number of PPR (People's Housing Project) in the federal capital.
Lau said BN would also implement the Selayang Transformation Plan towards a green and clean Selayang market and turning the area into a tourist attraction.
In GE13, Lau lost in the five-cornered fight for Batu, with incumbent Tian Chua retaining the seat with a 13,284-vote majority.
In GE14, Lau might be involved in a three-cornered contest with incumbent Tian Chua and Batu PAS chief Azhar Yahya.
-- BERNAMA
