'Who would go to a duty-free centre in the jungle?'

Whatever the reason the government is building a duty free centre in the middle of Lake Kenyir, it sure is not convincing Kuala Terengganu MP Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad.

In fact, Raja Kamarul Bahrin ( left ) says the project which is currently underway at Pulau Bayas is not only questionable on the economic front, but is also ecologically damaging to the area which is the gateway for the Terengganu national park.

"We don't know how much the project costs but it would cost RM33 million to bring cables across to the complex and ancillary project and buildings would cost another estimated RM200 million.

"Kenyir Lake is an hour's drive from the Kuala Terengganu Airport, which only serves (domestic) flights, unlike Langkawi which has international flights.

"And yet, I wouldn't say the duty free centre in Langkawi is doing very well. Is this (Kenyir project) justifiable? To get from Kenyir to Pulau Bayas you have to use a boat and there hasn't been a functioning jetty till now," he said.

He said that although it is a state government project, there is heavy federal involvement due to the duty free status.

"Many state projects use federal funds because it is funded by dana khas , that is what used to be called (oil) royalty," he said.

He added that construction, which has been underway for the past two years, is already damaging the area ecologically.

"To bring in the electric cables, they have to cut through 30 kilometres of slopes and trees. That has already caused damage to the environment, causing erosion.

"Before you can see greenery but now you see exposed red earth, and Kenyir rains everyday. It is damaging the environment and visual enjoyment, which is why people go to Kenyir," he said.

Nazri recruited for save Pasar Payang bid

Meanwhile, on a separate matter, the PAS MP has built bi-partisan support for the campaign to save the historic Pasar Payang in Terengganu's capital, in the form of Tourism Minister Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz.

"We have spoken to Nazri and he has very kindly offered to write in officially to the Terengganu government on the matter," he said.

He added that he hopes Nazri's voice would add to the campaign as it did the movement to save Jonker Walk in Malacca. "I believe that Jonker Walk is coming up quite well now, so hopefully we will get similar feedback after Nazri's participation," he said.

He said that the federal government has also previously recognised Pasar Payang as a heritage building and had contributed "a fair bit of funds" to renovate and maintain the market in 2007.

The Terengganu government now, however, plans to demolish the 47-year-old much loved market and build a RM400 million mega development in its place, despite protests from locals and traders.

"The state has decided to build a hotel. By all means, build a hotel but why at this site?" he asked.