SARIKEI: Growing one's business is every entrepreneur's dream and in Sarikei the opportunity has presented itself with the massive development that will take place in Tanjung Manis.
Under the 11th Malaysia Plan (2016-2020), more infrastructure will be built there following a restructuring of development plans for the port.
It includes the Tanjung Manis administration centre, housing projects, a site for the shipping industry, a furniture industry cluster and additional roads.
For Poi Chie Teck, 39, he would like to see a bridge and road constructed to connect Sarikei and Bintangor with Tanjung Manis as soon as possible.
Poi, who is a resident in the Repok state constituency, said with such access, there would be exponential growth in the two towns.
“The government's move to create a halal hub in Tanjung Manis will directly benefit business people in Sarikei but their involvement will be limited in the absence of a direct link (to Tanjung Manis),” he told Bernama.
He said vast opportunities were in store for local traders in Tanjung Manis but not fully exploited whereas foreign investors were coming in droves.
“From Sarikei to Tanjung Manis the fastest route now is using the river. If by road, one has to go to Sibu first. It is time consuming,” he said.
As such, Poi said he hoped the candidate elected for Repok in the state election this Saturday would make the direct road access a reality.
Meanhwile, Allif Omar Yunus, 26, said he wanted the resettlement scheme in Pulau Salah further expanded so that more people could build their own homes there.
His friend Razali Jedi,42, wanted the Sungai Sarikei waterfront spruced up because it was popular with people for recreational activities.
Repok is seeing a three-cornered fight between Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii of Barisan Nasional, Yong Siew Wei (DAP) and Wong Ching King (Independent).
It has 20,315 registered voters, 75 per cent from the Chinese community.--BERNAMA