Melaka State Election: Taboh Naning Incumbent Leaves It to Voters to Assess His Performance, Pledges to Continue Development

ALOR GAJAH: Infrastructure development, improved education and healthcare facilities, and greater economic opportunities for local residents are among the priorities that Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Taboh Naning state constituency, Datuk Zulkiflee Mohd Zin, hopes to pursue if given another mandate in the upcoming Melaka state election.

The incumbent said one of his priorities was to ensure that the ongoing road-widening project in Simpang Empat is completed on schedule in 2028, alongside the construction of a new two-storey school building costing nearly RM11 million.

He said approval for the construction of the building, which will have eight classrooms, was important due to population growth following the rapid development of residential areas in Taboh Naning.

“Besides that, I am also focusing on the Simpang Empat Health Clinic, which has been operating for a long time. I have asked the Ministry of Health to explore ways to expand the clinic or add to its existing buildings.

“So far, I understand that the ministry has applied for an allocation of nearly RM2 million to purchase land adjacent to the clinic, and approval is expected under Budget 2027,” he said in an interview with Astro AWANI here.

Zulkiflee also hopes to continue efforts to upgrade state and federal roads to improve convenience for road users, while ensuring that eligible residents receive welfare assistance from the state and federal governments.

Commenting on development achievements during his nearly five years as an elected representative, he said 176 development projects worth RM41.8 million had been allocated to the constituency.

He said one of the major projects expected to create economic and employment opportunities for residents was the Melaka Inland Port project, involving an investment of nearly RM300 million.

“The project has been gazetted by the state government, and God willing, residents of the Taboh Naning constituency, particularly young people with the necessary qualifications, will be able to explore the available job opportunities.

“God willing, I understand that development of the investment project is progressing actively,” he added.

To strengthen the local economy, Zulkiflee also wants to help small traders obtain temporary licences or business permits through cooperation with the Alor Gajah Municipal Council (MPAG).

He is also paying attention to young entrepreneurs running online businesses by connecting them with the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development to obtain information on financing opportunities, funding and loans to expand their businesses.

On heritage preservation, Zulkiflee, the son of former Melaka Chief Minister, the late Datuk Seri Mohd Zin Abdul Ghani, said traditional food products such as dodol, wajik and baulu, as well as handicrafts, must continue to be preserved as they provide a source of income for the local community.

Contest for the Taboh Naning State Seat

Commenting on the contest in this state election, Zulkiflee said he would leave it to voters to assess his performance and commitment throughout his tenure as an elected representative, including his grassroots engagement and efforts to resolve residents’ concerns.

He said his priority over the past nearly five years had not been the size of his winning majority but rather maintaining strong ties with the community through community programmes and assistance for residents.

“Leaders must be attentive and engage with people on the ground. If we do not go down to the ground, we will not understand the community’s problems, whether at coffee shops, suraus, mosques or places where young people gather.

“As elected representatives, we need to reach out to all segments of society and understand their needs,” he said.

In the upcoming Melaka state election, Zulkiflee will defend the Taboh Naning state seat, which he won in the 2021 state election with a majority of 1,825 votes.

He will face a straight fight against Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Ajue Sahat in the Melaka state election scheduled for November 14.

Astro AWANI