Wong Tack: Excessive development plans hurting Bentong’s way of life

Wong says the massive development plans are destroying Bentong’s quiet way of life. ( Facebook pic )

PETALING JAYA: DAP’s Wong Tack, who came close to defeating Bentong MP Liow Tiong Lai in the 2013 general election (GE13), says the MCA man’s excessive plans for development have destroyed the district’s quiet way of life.

This followed Liow’s recent statement that a five- to 10-year plan for Bentong had been mapped out, and that more development for the area was in the works.

In a report by The Star, the MCA president said there was also a plan by the agriculture and agro-based industry ministry to build an agriculture wholesale outlet at Bukit Tinggi to promote tourism.

However, Wong said these plans were made in a bid for Liow to retain his seat in the coming general election (GE14).

Speaking to FMT, he voiced concerns over sustainable development which he said did not seem to bother the Barisan Nasional (BN) government, singling out the billion-ringgit East Coast Rail Line (ECRL) project.

“I want to retain the spirit of Bentong,” he said.

“I don’t want children from Bentong unable to return home. I don’t want them to suffer with traffic jams. Bentong’s quality of life must be maintained.”

Liow has been Bentong’s MP since 1999.

On Thursday, The Star reported that the tender for the ECRL infrastructure works, valued at several billion ringgit, will be opened in stages in April.

There will be 45 tunnels on multiple sites built along the alignment for the project, including a 16.37km twin bore tunnel from Bentong to Gombak, the longest rail tunnel in Malaysia.

Liow, who is the transport minister, said last year that the proposed location for the ECRL station was near the town’s industrial park.

“This will place Bentong as the centre where the Karak Highway and the central spine road meet. Bentong itself is currently seeing double digit economic growth, and putting the town at the centre of a junction will ensure more dynamic development,” he had said.

Wong, who is also Himpunan Hijau founder, criticised the 10-year plan for Bentong, saying Liow had failed to do anything for the district while he was in power.

A five- to 10-year plan has been mapped out for Bentong and more development is in the works. ( Youtube screengrab )

“He has been in power for so long, what has he done? What kind of facilities have we seen, what kind of initiatives?

“After talking for so many years, look at the back lanes of Bentong. Look at how they deal with the sewage. The river that goes through the town is supposed to be so beautiful but it’s polluted.”

Liow became Bentong MP in the 10th general election in 1999, taking over from BN candidate Lim Ah Lek who held the seat from 1989.

He has since retained the seat, although Wong came close to defeating him in GE13, winning 49% of the votes. -FMT