Terengganu voters seek more development, cutting-edge infrastructures

KUALA TERENGGANU - The residents of Terengganu are expressing their hope for a stronger focus on development this year.

Nurse Juliana Othman from Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah (HSNZ) highlighted the importance of keeping up with the changing times, particularly in areas such as healthcare, infrastructure, and job creation, while not completely dismissing the 'green wave' administration.

"It is crucial to reduce the reliance on tax collection, as there are still many people in Terengganu facing poverty and low incomes.

"The state should strive to become a beautiful place that embraces its rich culture, and it is essential to maintain the cleanliness of frequently visited sites," the 50-year-old told Sinar Daily.

While acknowledging that Pas can bring about change, Juliana urged for transparency and advised against unnecessary comparisons with other political parties.

Echoing similar sentiment, medical assistant Wan Nur Ilya Aryani Wan Norzailan Azlan from Megaklinik Zahran Bandar Baru Bangi expressed her acceptance of Pas due to the significant transformations she has witnessed in Terengganu under their governance.

"I hope to see continued development, including establishing more malls and introducing new brands.

"For instance, in Kuantan, they have everything, and although I don't expect the same, it would be beneficial for people in Terengganu if they didn't have to travel there for shopping.

"While we do have Mesra Mall in Terengganu, it is located in Marang, which takes us two hours to reach. Imagine how it would be if the city didn't have a mall, brand options, or cinemas like it did ten years ago," Ilya told Sinar Daily.

Ilya expressed her hope for improved infrastructure in Terengganu, especially in terms of enhancing mobility for tourism purposes.

"Overall, I believe Pas has done an impressive job in governing Terengganu, representing an improvement compared to the previous government," Ilya added.

Alya Najwa Aladin, a Psychology student from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), pointed out that those who reject the 'green wave' may do so due to the significant changes it has brought, particularly concerning Pas.

Alya highlighted the campaign's emphasis on religious rhetoric and the use of religion as a political tool.

"In my opinion, Pas tends to attack individuals with opposing views without considering ethics or basic manners, fueled solely by emotions," Alya said.

Alya further stated that the desired changes in Terengganu vary among individuals, with infrastructure development being a priority for her.

She suggested the implementation of rail transit systems similar to those in Kuala Lumpur, which would greatly enhance mobility for the people.

As for the party with the most potential to bring about change in Terengganu, Alya acknowledged that it is a subjective matter, varying according to individual opinions.

"While I'm uncertain about this, Pakatan Harapan (PH) may be a party worth considering," she said.