Zahid, who is also Bagan Datuk MP, said with the setting up of a new district council, it would be able to manage and generate economy for the district’s progress and development.

“I’ll seek the consent of the Perak Sultan for Bagan Datuk to have its own district council to manage premises on its own with a tax rate that is not too high,” he said in his speech at the Bagan Datuk parliamentary-level Chinese New Year celebration at the Simpang Empat Commercial Centre yesterday.

Also present at the event, which was attended by about 5,000 guests, were Zahid’s wife, Hamidah Khamis, Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Bai Tian and Perak MCA chairman Mah Hang Soon.

Bagan Datuk was declared a district, making it the 12th in Perak, on Jan 9 last year and placed under the administration of the Teluk Intan Municipal Council (MPTI).

Zahid said he did not intend to be Bagan Datuk MP forever and would give way for the young generation to continue with the development in the district.

“This development is not for me. Before I leave, I want to develop all the key areas, small towns, housing and business premises, as well as commercial centres in Bagan Datuk.

“For this coming general election, give me another chance to prove this to the people of Bagan Datuk,” he said.

Meanwhile, Zahid praised Bai Tian for his action in defending Malaysia at the international level, as well as making a promise that China would be the largest buyer of Malaysia’s palm oil products.