Malaysia: Terengganu's Development Augurs Well For East Coast Economic Region

By Ainul Huda Mohamed Saaid KUALA TERENGGANU (Terengganu, Malaysia), July 14 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's east coast state Terengganu has come a long way from being a state dependent on agrarian and fishing activities to a major petroleum producer. The state known for its beautiful sandy beaches, its tantalising keropok lekor (fish based fritters) and the nasi dagang fare, its unique textile the songket and the turtles that return to the beaches during nesting season each year, is continuing with its transformation in all fronts. The state’s transformation moved to high gear since it became part of the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) in 2007. That’s not all, by 2030, Terengganu is expected to emerge as a developed state through far sighted developments planned by the state government and East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC). Apart from addressing the infrastructure shortcomings, the state and ECERDC also attended to the socio-economic woes of its people including poverty. During the recent 2017 Terengganu Media Tour organised by the Information Department, members of the media had the opportunity to witness first hand on many of the significant developments in the physical and social sphere taking place in the state. DRAWBRIDGE AND THE TRANSFORMATION According to Zulkifli Ya’acob, ECERDC’s General Manager (Human Resource Division), one of the development projects being undertaken currently is the construction of a drawbridge and the development of a vast commercial centre that will serve as the new landmark for Kuala Terengganu. The 638 meter long drawbridge, that connects the Muara Selatan (Southern Estuary) and Muara Utara (Northern Estuary), will shorten the travelling time from the city centre to the Sultan Mahmud Airport from 25 minutes to 10 minutes. It is similar to London’s Tower Bridge that caters for both road and river traffic. To be completed by the year end, the bridge could be raised at the centre to allow vessels, especially cruise vessels, to pass through. Interestingly, the bridge’s two four-storey towers at both ends will also house a restaurant, a multipurpose hall and viewing gallery that could contribute to tourism. The area surrounding Muara Selatan and Muara Utara covering 180 hectares will be developed as the central business district made up of hotels, condominiums, shopping centres, office lots and a theme park. Tiara View Housing Development Sdn. Bhd which is among the parties involved in the project anticipates 1,500 employment opportunities for the locals from its side. The first phase of commercial development is slated to begin in mid 2018 with the whole project is expected to be completed by 2024. HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT MODEL Apart from mega infrastructures, Zulkifli said ECERDC also emphasized on human capital development. The holistic approach adopted includes an Agropolitan programme that provided opportunities for 100 hardcore poor families earn up to RM1,500 (US$1 = RM4.29). The hardcore poor have been resettled in Besut-Setiu area to develop the agricultural industry and conduct small businesses. “This effort is an initiative to eradicate poverty using the agriculture platform. They are also given the opportunity to take up skills based courses like hairdressing, cake making and etc and given a helping hand in starting their own business,” he explained. ECER also has programmes to help entrepreneurs move up the ladder, for example those without halal certification will receive assistance in attaining the certification. “We also promote their products overseas like in Singapore and China. Our emphasis is on entrepreneurship as we feel this is where the people of Terengganu could improve their lot,” said Zulkifli. Students living in less empowering environments, including in poverty, who show poor academic performance are also given a helping hand so that they do not end up as the future poor. The parents too are exposed on the importance of academic studies for their children. FREE HOUSING FOR THE PEOPLE The economic development plans also take into consideration the plight of the low income earners. The Community House Project in Kampung Bukit Kenak, Besut, about 130 km from here, has given the hardcore poor the opportunity to own comfortable homes without the need to pay for anything. These houses were built based on the ‘quick, cheap and quality’ concept with the idea coming from Besut Parliament member Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh, who is also the Higher Education Minister. Students from 12 community colleges and 19 polytechnics from all over the country, local village development and security committees, Besut Parliament office, developers and local council, participated in the building of about 120 houses under the project. With a floor area of 600 square feet, each house comes with three bedrooms, a hall, kitchen and a toilet with the house costing no more than RM20,000 and completed within a month. The houses have been built and handed over to the deserving group along with some basic furniture, including sofa. TAKING ON THE POWERS OF NATURE AT PANTAI TOK JEMBAL Terengganu boasts for long beautiful beaches but the strong sea currents pose problem for the people living along the coastline. Hence, the development plans had to include a seawall at Pantai Tok Jembal here. Project Engineer for the Federal Project Implementation Unit (UPPP) in Terengganu Fadzilah Mahmmod explained that coastline erosion up to 80 metres per year occurred as soon as the upgrading works of the Sultan Mahmud Airport was completed in 2011. The erosion had altered a 4.9 kilometre stretch of the the coastline stretching from Pantai Tok Jembal, Tanjung Gelam and Kampung Kolam. “Normally a cheaper option like ‘revertment’ or stone wall along the shoreline will suffice but the government has decided to build a much costlier ‘offshore break water’ further into the sea. It is the first offshore breakwater in the country and it is the best option to preserve the original shape and view of the beach popular with picnickers,” he said. The 6.4m high wall located 150m from the shore is also being used by Universiti Malaysia Terengganu for its marine research. At the end of the tour, the media representatives were certainly impressed with the transformation that is taking place not only in Kuala Terengganu but also in other parts of the state. Terengganu has certainly come a long way and has contributed immensely in realising the ECER. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SIDE BAR A TOUCHING MEETING WITH A MUTE COUPLE There was a touching episode when the 2017 Terengganu Media Tour visited the Community House Project in Kampung Bukit Kenak, Besut. Media members who were expecting to meet the poor who were resettled in the housing scheme felt sympathetic towards a mute couple Rafizan Mohamad, 43, and Rahayu Awang, 45. They have seven children, three boys and four girls between the ages of two and 25, from their previous marriages. Their spartanly furnished house was crowded. According to the couple’s daughter Nurul Sharmila Talib, 24, her mother married her step father who is also mute three years ago. The couple who earned RM900 a month by working with a poultry seller used to rent a house previously and found it difficult to make ends meet. The media group noted despite of the disability and difficulties, the family was in full of zest in carrying on with life. Since moving into the house last January, Nurul Sharmila and family found the house being more comfortable. Now with their own roof over their heads, hopefully they could find their way out of poverty. -- BERNAMA