JELI: The Jeli campus of Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) and the Jeli Polytechnic are a godsend for the people in the Jeli district.
The estimated 3,000 students of the two institutions, established in 2012 and 2013 respectively, have enabled the local people to engage in various types business for their livelihood which has been hitherto confined to agriculture.
Besides cultivating rubber and cash crops such as fruits and seeking out jungle products, the people are now able to earn a decent living running eateries, hire car services and homestays.
Credit must go to Jeli MP Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, who is the International Trade and Industry Minister, for having convinced the federal government to establish the institutions here.
The UMK campus has over 2,000 students and the polytechnic, more than 1,000.
Several of the people in business expressed happiness with what they are able to do now compared to 10 years ago when they had to depend largely on the local people and users of the East-West Highway that runs from Gerik in Perak to Jeli.
Zaidah Hussien, 45, who runs an eatery, said the two institutions had boosted her business.
“At one time, this place was just a jungle. Now, there are rows of eateries which are frequented by the students and staff of the university,” she said to Bernama.
She said the two institutions had enabled her family to earn a steady monthly income since setting up the eatery eight years ago.
“I am able to earn between RM2,000 and RM3,000 a month. I also engage a few workers from among the local people and am able to provide employment,” she said.
Rosli Talib, 35, operates a hire-car service in Jeli. He said the large number of students and staff of the educational institutions support his business.
“I have put out five cars for hire and am able to earn about RM3,000 a month. Most of my clients are the students,” he said.
Rosli, who had been a construction worker, sees a good future for the business which he started three years ago with just one car.
Nortakiah Abdullah, 27, an assistant at a nursery for children, said the two institutions had altered the economic and educational landscape of Jeli.
The people, particularly the young, have benefited tremendously from the spill over of development and live a comfortable life, she said.
“The two institutions have lured people to the district and attracted investors to set up business, thus providing jobs for the local people,” she said. -- Bernama