Kuantan falls short of festive decor

Monday February 8, 2010

KUANTAN: The Pahang government does not provide allocations for festive decorations in public areas during major festivals, an assemblyman here revealed.

Semambu assemblyman Datuk Pang Tsu Ming said, all these years, there was no budget for assemblymen to put up decorative items.

“Shopping centres, hotels and supermarkets carry out their own initiatives in conjunction with major festivities to beautify their premises and attract customers.

“On the state’s part, there is just not enough money as the poor and needy are given priority.

“As such, the private sector plays an important role in creating the festive atmosphere during the major celebrations,” he said.

Pang was asked to comment on the lack of decorations in Kuantan to usher in the Year of the Tiger which is just around the corner.

“We hope the private sector can help.

“The slow start may be due to the gloomy economic situation. When the economy is good, this is not an issue,” he said.

Pang said that Kuantan was unlike places with a historical background such as Penang and Malacca, and Petaling Street in Kuala Lumpur for which the local authorities allocated a budget for beautification to attract tourists.

He said that Kuantan had no plans to set up a Chinatown although the Air Putih area had the highest number of Chinese residents.

“If we want to put up lanterns, I suggest that all residential and business areas with a majority of Chinese to be included, not just Air Putih.

“Otherwise, Chinese in areas such as Jalan Datuk Wong Ah Jang, Jalan Haji Ahmad, Jalan Galing and Bukit Sekilau will be upset,” he said.