Melaka polls: PH candidate wants to put Naning's history on tourism map

ALOR GAJAH: Preserving Naning's rich historical legacy while creating new economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs are among the priorities of Pakatan Harapan candidate Junainah Sahat if she wins the Taboh Naning seat.

Better known as Ajue Sahat, she said the area's historical significance should be highlighted as part of Melaka's tourism offerings, rather than allowing popular attractions such as A Famosa and the Hang Tuah Mausoleum to dominate the state's tourism landscape.

"Taboh Naning is the original land of Naning and has its own historical significance. Apart from preserving its heritage, I also want to elevate its status here.

"When I am in Taboh Naning, what is closest to my heart is its heritage and history, including how our ancestors became warriors who fought against rulers and colonial powers," she said when met during a walkabout in Taboh Naning here yesterday.

She said historical sites in the area, including Dol Said's Mausoleum, had the potential to be developed into tourism attractions that could introduce more visitors to the Naning community's history and struggle.

Ajue said tourism development should also create opportunities for local businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and handicraft producers.

To achieve this, she proposed setting up an entrepreneur hub where local business operators could showcase their products at a single location, making them more accessible to visitors.

"If we have a large hub that brings all these entrepreneurs together, it would be better, help their businesses grow and become another attraction for tourism in Melaka," she said.

She said any development in Taboh Naning should preserve the area's unique identity and historical values, ensuring that progress did not come at the expense of its heritage.

On her campaign, Ajue said activities had gone smoothly up to the fifth day, with encouraging responses from people in the Taboh Naning town area.

She said her campaign team had been engaging voters through walkabouts at stalls, shoplots, homes and villages, as well as small-group talks and social media outreach.

"Our hope is, of course, to win because our intention is to secure victory for Taboh Naning and ensure its progress, in line with my tagline, 'Taboh Naning, Nafas Baharu, Lebih Maju. Melaka Rumah Kita'," she said.

Ajue will face incumbent Datuk Zulkiflee Mohd Zin of Barisan Nasional in a straight fight for the state seat.