Pas May Face Tricky Battle To Win Over Kelantan State Amid Economic Slowdown

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Even at the Siti Khadijah Market in the heart of the city, one of its busiest spots, some stall owners have reported slower business compared to pre-COVID times.
(CNA) – Many voters in the Malaysian Islamic Party-run state of Kelantan view spiritual wealth as the cornerstone of their lives, with sentiments that material things do not matter.
However, with the country’s 15th General Election looming on Nov 19, some Kelantanese are hoping for more development in the state which for more than three decades, has been governed by the Malaysian Islamic Party, or PAS.
Economic development has been gradual in the northeastern state.
Residents are happy that infrastructural problems like roads and clean water supply in the state, which has a chiefly agriculture economy, are being fixed.
The state government has promised greater economic growth for the future, approving several basic infrastructure projects, such as the upgrading of the city’s airport.
Modern hyper-marts common in other parts of the country, like Aeon and Lotus’s, have also cropped up in recent years, creating new jobs.
But voters hope that even more can be done.
“We are still left behind in terms of progress, with development, with facilities as well as infrastructure. My hope is that Kelantan will be able to be on par with other states that have already progressed,” one potential voter told CNA.
ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN, BRAIN DRAIN Services make up about 70 per cent of the local economy, including thousands of micro-businesses. But things have not been looking good for some of them.
Even at the Siti Khadijah Market in the heart of the city, one of its busiest spots, some stall owners have reported slower business compared to pre-COVID times.
From chicken sellers to snack sellers, many told CNA that their businesses have taken a hit, with fewer patrons and an increase in the cost of their goods.
“Now we are trying to crawl, step by step,” said one chicken stall owner.
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