AYER KUNING HAS POTENTIAL TO BE AGRICULTURAL HUB - JPKK CHAIRMAN

TAPAH, April 6 (Bernama) -- With its fertile land, the Ayer Kuning state constituency has strong potential to be further developed in the agriculture sector, adding value to the oil palm plantations that currently form the backbone of the local economy.

Kampung Jawa Air Kuning Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK) chairman Faiz Helmi said that, based on rough estimates, oil palm plantations cover more than 800 hectares of the area. 

“There are more than 1,000 oil palm smallholders in Ayer Kuning, each owning around 0.8 to 1.6 hectares,” he told Bernama.

He said the harvest, sold to local palm oil mills, is estimated at 80,000 metric tonnes per day.

However, to boost the local economy further, Faiz suggested that Ayer Kuning could be developed into an agricultural hub, particularly for vegetable farming, through greenhouse farming.

In addition to supporting the government’s efforts to ensure food security, he said the initiative could also create job and entrepreneurship opportunities for local youths.

“Children of Ayer Kuning will only choose to stay here if they have land to work on. Otherwise, they’ll be forced to leave in search of better opportunities,” he said.

According to data from the Election Commission as of October 2024, there are 14,640 registered voters aged between 18 and 39 in the constituency.

Sharing Faiz’s views, Kampung Baru (M) Air Kuning JPKK chairman Zamzuree Isa said the emergence of new economic activities could spur development in the area, particularly in terms of infrastructure.

He added that the former Ayer Kuning assemblyman, the late Ishsam Shahruddin, had expressed a desire to see the development of Bandar Baharu Ayer Kuning, complete with public amenities such as a bank, supermarket, post office, and health clinic.

"Residents of Ayer Kuning often have to travel to Kampar, Tapah, or Langkap to access banking services or shop for basic necessities at supermarkets," said Zamzuree.

He noted that while the Ayer Kuning township currently has a rural clinic and a petrol station, it still lacks a bank branch.

The Election Commission has set April 26 as polling day for the Ayer Kuning state by-election, with nominations on April 12 and early voting on April 22.

The by-election was called following the death of incumbent assemblyman Ishsam Shahruddin on Feb 22 due to a heart attack after participating in a football tournament at Stadium Bandaraya in George Town, Penang.

Ishsam, who was the Tapah UMNO division chief since 2018, won the Ayer Kuning seat in the 15th General Election with a majority of 2,213 votes in a five-cornered contest.

The Ayer Kuning constituency has 31,897 registered voters, comprising 31,315 ordinary voters and 582 police personnel and their spouses.

-- BERNAMA