Malaysia’s Melaka could get new capital in Kota Laksamana if Barisan wins poll

Kota Laksamana in Melaka could be developed into Malaysian state’s new capital if Umno-led Barisan Nasional wins the seat in Saturday’s poll, according to caretaker chief minister Ab Rauf Yusoh.

He said the proposed transformation would be supported by the Straits of Melaka Waterfront Economic Zone, which would bring together tourism, commercial and industrial activities along the state’s waterfront.

“Kota Laksamana will become the state capital of Melaka. That is what I hope for,” he said during a visit to the Kota Laksamana Bari­san war room.

The proposed development would mostly involve private concessionaires undertaking projects through private finance initiatives, with the state government responsible for coordinating their implementation, providing facilities and easing bureaucratic processes, he said.

Among the developments he highlighted were the Oriental Melaka Straits Medical Centre, new shopping facilities at Tarcor Park and plans to expand the area’s tourism and commercial activities.

On the election, Ab Rauf said Barisan was targeting between 25 and 26 seats in the 28-seat state assembly, following what he described as the allocation of two additional seats to the coalition.

He called on the Umno machi­nery to work alongside coalition partner Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) to secure a victory for Melvin Chua, Bari­san’s can­di­date for Kota Laksamana. “We share the same objectives, let’s work together to ensure our candidates are elected,” he said.

MCA president Wee Ka Siong, who was also pre­sent, expressed confidence in Chua’s ability to serve the consti­tuency, citing his experience as a three-term city councillor and his work at grass roots level. He described Chua as hardwor­king and committed, adding that he was well regarded by people of different races.

Wee said Chua had prepared a set of 100-day pledges for the constituency, which he described as commitments to be ful­filled rather than empty pro­mises. “Kota Laksamana may be a challenging seat for Barisan, but Chua is determined to give his best and we are behind him,” he said.

Wee also commended Ab Rauf’s administration, highligh­ting its tourism development, investment initiatives and ­aid programmes for ­residents.

“Melaka’s tourism growth is not solely due to its historical attractions but also the state government’s efforts to develop the ­sector and ensure its economic benefits reached the people,” he said.

Ab Rauf, who is state Barisan chief, said Mua­­fakat Melaka, the state-level pact between Barisan and Perikatan Nasional, would move towards a Muafakat Malaysia. He called on the Umno, MCA and Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) coalition to work with ­Peri­katan to take Kesidang from Paka­tan Harapan.

“I have told all Umno machi­nery and the Barisan machinery, including MCA and MIC, to move together with Perikatan so that [the election] goes back to Muafakat Melaka on November 14,” he said when visiting Perikatan’s operations centre in Kesidang on Sunday.