The latest ‘addition to Batu Gajah town are the electronic clocks with traditional clock face, on four sides of the new clock tower, as you drive down its first railway flyover which was built since our Sultan became the Yang Di Pertuan Agong umpteen years ago.
It was only months ago that a new digital one, which showed the temperature as well, was installed, in time for the SMK Sultan Yussuf Centennial celebrations. Someone, (was it the Sultan? as many changes have been attributed to comments by our beloved Sultan who loves BG because he was born here), must have commented that the digital clock and thermometer cannot be read with the morning sun shining on it. I was one of those who commented privately but surely it was not because of me. The original structure took months because it was decided halfway that it was too short! (Again, was it because the Sultan commented?)
There is a clock tower-like structure with a royal headgear on top, built a few years ago, on the left, as you are about to enter BG town. Initially, it was painted brown and someone must have commented that it looked like a lump of s***, and it was repainted cream colour!
Then, there is the Batu Gajah Plaza, which had an original red polycarbonate roof, which was changed to a more suitable turquoise. Kellie’s Castle was once signposted as Istana Kellie until strong protests from the locals must have put paid to it. The question was, whose bright idea was it to call it Istana in the first place, translated from a mere castle?
The new Bus Station was built to accommodate more buses but reality set in and only a quarter of it is being used for its original purpose, with the rest rented to used car dealers!
The new Railway station was completed, at a guess, a couple of years ahead of the access road, which is still being built. Until it is ready, the train users (those desperate enough) have to go through rural roads without proper directional signs. I am not exaggerating to say that I got lost a few times before I found it and I am unsure if the station is actually open to the public. I cannot imagine anyone using it, knowing the arrival time is at an ungodly hour of say, 3 am, without first confirming that someone will be coming to pick him, or her (worse).
I think it is symptomatic of the problems facing our country’s administration where development funds were spent without justification based on proper evaluation of proposals. The problem is compounded by the fact that the opposition Member of Parliament, as a rule, is not allowed to decide on the use of development funds, which use is decided by the District Officer and BN nominated town councillors who are yes-men to make up the numbers. Yes, I am in favour of local elections rather than political nominees who are not accountable to the public but their masters.
It would be interesting to find out the original contract sums and the revised amounts resulting from the changes.
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