Melaka Polls: PH's Azman Seeks To Attract High-value Investments To Paya Rumput

By Shanika Abdullatib

MELAKA, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Paya Rumput state seat Datuk Azman Abidin has identified attracting high-value investments to create more lucrative employment opportunities for youths as one of his priorities should he be elected in the 16th Melaka State Election.

He said Paya Rumput already had several industrial areas housing numerous small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which could be further developed through the entry of new investments, thereby stimulating local economic growth.

“I believe the entry of investors in higher-value sectors would broaden career options for local youths, many of whom are currently working outside the area.

“If employment opportunities are available here, these young people would not have to migrate elsewhere. However, we need to look at what we can offer them,” he told Bernama after meeting residents of Cheng Perdana at Taman Bertam Jaya here last night.

Meanwhile, he said another issue of concern to him was the poverty rate among residents in the constituency, particularly families who continued to struggle to meet their daily needs despite receiving assistance.

Azman said that since campaigning for the Melaka polls began on Oct 31, he had visited dozens of homes in poor condition, with some residents sharing their struggles in making ends meet.

“I have seen that poverty, particularly among those in the lower-income B40 group, remains quite a serious issue here. While some of them do receive assistance from the Social Welfare Department or the Melaka Islamic Religious Council, the aid is still insufficient.

“Therefore, I see efforts to attract new investments and expand small and medium industries (SMIs) as among the ways to lift these families out of poverty, as the employment opportunities created would enable their children to contribute to the household income,” he said.

In the Melaka state election, Azman, who is making his electoral debut, faces a three-cornered contest in Paya Rumput against Rafie Ahmad of Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Abdul Rashid Abu Bakar of Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama).

The Election Commission (EC) has set Nov 14 as polling day, while early voting will take place on Nov 10.

For the latest news on the 16th Melaka State Election, visit https://election.bernama.com/prn/melaka/2026/.

-- BERNAMA