Rural town but it's hooked to Net for free

Eileen Ng
New Straits Times
02-22-2011
Rural town but it's hooked to Net for free
Byline: Eileen Ng
Edition: Main/Lifestyle
Section: Main Section

WI-FI is free in Merlimau. That is quite an accomplishment for this nondescript town on the outskirts of Malacca city considering the broadband penetration for Malaysia is only 55.6 per cent.

But providing free Internet access to its 20,214 residents is just one of the many initiatives taken by the state government.
This effort has paid off handsomely, too, scoring brownie points with the folk who yearn to be technologically wired without losing their peaceful rural lifestyle.

It is such initiatives that have made this semi-rural constituency an example of a booming town that its counterparts could only hope to emulate.

Unlike other rural towns which suffer the age-old problem of youth migration to bigger cities in search of a better life as well as a lack of economic opportunities, Merlimau has bucked the trend.

Its vibrant economy can be attributed to the presence of two educational institutions - the Merlimau polytechnic and Merlimau community college, with a total student population of about 6,000.

It also boasts the Merlimau Industrial Estate - providing jobs for 70 per cent of the youth here.

In return, these industries provide an array of ancillary economic support for locals.

"Most of my friends work in the industries there. I'm happy working here as it allows us to be close to our families. In the evenings, we play futsal or sepak takraw.

"We would spend more if we work in bigger cities like Kuala Lumpur or Johor Baru," said factory worker Ahmad Hassan, 28.

Because of the large number of young people residing in the area, the constituency is equipped with a library, five community computer centres, three fields, 17 courts for sporting activities and one Rakan Muda complex.

Geographically, Merlimau is at an advantage as it is located only 30 minutes from Malacca city and is connected by the dual-carriage AMJ Highway.

Residents who do not work in the area commute daily to the city.

Because the basic needs of the locals are met and a dearth of local issues, the opposition will find it hard to make any headway with the 10,767 voters, in the coming March 6 by-election.

Even the youth, who make up 4,926 voters and who had always been the target of the opposition due to their anti-establishment tendencies, are expected to shun Pas in favour of Barisan Nasional.

"Merlimau has always been a model rural state with all kinds of modern amenities to cater to the peoples' needs.

"I am confident 72 per cent of the voters will vote for BN," asserted Umno Jasin information chief Datuk Hasan Rahman.

His confidence echoed that of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam who told the 10,000-strong multiracial crowd who attended a Chinese New Year dinner on Saturday night that the "future is bright for us on March 6."

(Copyright 2011)