The Malaysian Insight

ANWAR Ibrahim last night announced that leading low-cost carrier AirAsia will help Port Dickson soar to greater heights.

The PKR president-elect said the venture will develop tourism and the economy in the seaside town.

“AirAsia and Tony Fernandes have announced that they will promote PD as a tourism destination. I’m glad he is supporting the people,” the Pakatan Harapan by-election candidate said when officiating at an Indian cultural event in Kg India, Bukit Pelandok.

In a LinkedIn post on Wednesday, AirAsia CEO Fernandes said Port Dickson can be developed to become like Dubai’s Jumeirah Beach.

Port Dickson can be a stopover for tourists travelling to and from Kuala Lumpur International Airport, said the 54-year-old.

“Convention centres, shopping malls and resorts are just some of the projects that we believe can take Port Dickson to new heights.

“Seeing that we carry more passengers than Emirates, who have turned Dubai into a successful stopover destination, we aim to do the same with Port Dickson.

“The role it will play to elevate local communities through the tourism multiplier effect will be substantial.”

Anwar yesterday took a playful jab at Fernandes for supporting the Barisan Nasional administration when former prime minister Najib Razak was in power.

He said Fernandes is a good businessman, but lacks political acumen.

“He is a good businessman, a good manager, but in politics, he is not so smart.

“That is okay. I may be smart in politics, but not so much on the business end.

“So, I told Tony, for politics, you need to listen to your ‘anne’ (brother), but when it comes to business, I will listen to you,” Anwar told a 200-strong crowd, the majority of whom were Indians.

The former deputy prime minister was referring to the video Fernandes posted shortly before the 14th general election hinting at support for BN.

Fernandes also wrapped an AirAsia plane with BN promotional material when Najib returned from campaigning in Sabah.

Anwar said among the things he will do for Port Dickson are boost tourism, clean up beaches and ensure strong internet connection.

The former Permatang Pauh MP said he wants to introduce an online tuition programme for students, but the plan is hindered by weak internet connection in the constituency.

He said he has told Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo to rectify the problem, and the latter has promised to do so.

“In Port Dickson, the internet is not good… ‘aiyo kadavule’ (oh my God)! I called up Gobind and asked, ‘when do you want to come?’. He said, ‘tomorrow’.

“I told him, ‘my friends here send you their regards, they say the internet here is not good’.

“Gobind said he will make sure the internet service in Port Dickson is No. 1.”

The Port Dickson seat fell vacant after Danyal Balagopal Abdullah, of PKR, quit as MP to make way for Anwar, who is attempting a Parliament comeback.

This is in line with PH’s plan to have him take over from Dr Mahathir Mohamad as prime minister.

In the 14th general election, Danyal got 36,225 votes, defeating BN’s Mogan Velayatham and Mahfuz Roslan of PAS, who received 18,515 and 6,594 votes, respectively.

Anwar is in a seven-way battle for the seat. He is up against five independent candidates – Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, Isa Samad, Lau Seck Yan, Stevie Chan and Kan Chee Yuen – and air force veteran Mohd Nazari Mokhtar of PAS.

Polling has been set for October 13. – October 6, 2018.