He said even though the opposition pact had held the Hutan Melintang state constituency for two terms since 2008, there had been no progress in the area.

Zahid, who is defending the Bagan Datuk parliamentary seat for the sixth term, said development in Hutan Melintang was largely assisted by the involvement of the private sector.

“I hope Jendarata voters will give me and BN candidate for this area, Datuk Khairuddin Tarmizi, a chance in this general election.

“The two-term incumbent (S Kesavan from PKR) is good; he is my friend.

“But he has gone to the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat,” he said in his speech when meeting about 300 people, who were mostly Indians, from the United Plantations estate in Hutan Melintang here today.

Present were United Plantations Berhad (UPB) chief executive director Carl Bek-Nielsen, UPB executive director of marketing and finance Martin Bek-Nielsen, former myPPP president M Kayveas and Khairuddin.

Meanwhile, Zahid said Carl Bek-Nielsen had agreed to offer 40ha land owned by UPB in Hutan Melintang to be developed as a new town. This would cater for housing estates and shop lots.

“Between Simpang Empat and Pekan Bagan Datuk there will be Bandar Baharu UP (United Plantations). We will see Bagan Datuk progress in the next five years.

“I asked the Bandar Baru UP to be built with 5,000 units of houses and ready within five years from now to accommodate the 10,000 job opportunities we have offered,” he said.

Zahid also praised the management of the plantation company for maintaining the welfare of the workers by providing proper housing facilities.