Idris Haron

Chief Minister of Melaka

He continued the legacy of his predecessor, Mohd Ali Rustam, but with opposing style^[10] by establishing "Melaka Maju-Fasa Dua" (Progressive Melaka-Phase Two). He set up four principles under this umbrella.

1. First, to raise Melaka's quality of products and services to the highest possible level, exceeding the expectations of customers who comprise investors, tourists and the people in the state.
2. Second, system and mechanism of products and services in Melaka must be sustainable.
3. Third, establishing conducive environment for investors and
4. fourth, to maintain the motivation of Melaka's workforce to produce top-notch quality.^[11] He also works under the word "Berkat, Tepat, Cepat" (Blessed, Fast, Accurate).^[10]

Under his leadership, Melaka obtained its biggest investment ever in her history of RM 4.38 billion in 2014. The waterfront of Melaka, stretching as far as 73 kilometers, were also upgraded for future beach port.^[12] He launched "Don't Mess With Melaka", modeled after a 1986 "Don't Mess With Texas" campaign in a bid against littering, crime and social ills. The goal of the campaign was to ensure the state remained one of the cleanest in the country. The statewide campaign used T-shirt and billboard advertising. The campaign's slogan drew criticism on the basis that it could seem to promote gangsterism. Idris defended the slogan, saying that it was a way to grasp the attention of youths through creative and aggressive marketing.^[13]

In 2016, Malacca become the safest place to live in Malaysia.^[14] The state crime rates dropped by 15.5 per cent in 2017 with 3,096 cases recorded compared to 3,663 in 2016.^[15] The State Socioeconomic Report 2017 published on July 26, 2018 reported that Malacca was the state that recorded the lowest unemployment rate in 2017 with only 1.0 percent.^[16]

Redevelopment of the Big Island

He headed the Big Island redevelopment project starting with electricity supply to Big Island involving 12 towers from 4.7 kilometers of Siring Beach which will supply electricity at a capacity of five megawatts to a maximum capacity of 132 megawatts. The project, which began on November 5, 2012 and completed in February 2015, is aimed at making 129.64 hectares of the Big Island and houses resorts and historic areas, as one of the major tourism products in Melaka. The upgrading of Sekolah Menengah Agama Dan Tahfiz Al-Quran Pulau Besar Melaka is also ongoing to provide students with greater comfort to memorize the Koran.^[17] He has planned to develop Pulau Besar as a tourist island in the state. In March 2016, preliminary allocations were given to repair the mosque and food court on the island, besides the construction of a Maahad Tahfiz. Focus is on basic development before being followed by other facilities, including an international standard food court. When all the repair and construction work on the island is completed, it will be able to become an international resort island capable of attracting many visitors. The development process in the island is run in stages. The island's maintenance and development project will be able to attract a large number of tourists. At the same time, it will be one of the major contributors to the Melaka economy.^[18]

Taking Serious Look At Khurafat Activity

A complete jetty and mosque with police cottages and CCTV surveillance are designed to be built on the Big Island to avoid the bad deeds of the visitors, thereby preventing the activities of superstition.^[19] He has decided to direct the State Mufti Department, the Melaka Islamic Religious Department to hold a deep discussion to resolve the issue of superstition in the Big Island. In February 2018, he had received a full report on his activities on the Big Island and requested that a discussion involve a large desk be made to find the most appropriate approach to address the problem. He had interviewed the organizers of the program on the Big Island, most of them defending that they were doing the right way because each brought in insight from some of the corners of the world. He has told them that the practice is against the Islamic creed and it has to be eradicated.^[20]

Melaka Development

Total gross domestic product (GDP) revenue of RM27.9 billion and per capita income of RM35,699 recorded in 2013 increased to RM33.2 billion and per capita income of RM41,363 in 2017. During 2013 to 2017, Melaka successfully brought investments from outside amounted to RM17.1 billion and this excludes agreed investment, bringing the total to more than RM22 billion. The elevated viaduct was constructed at the intersection of MITC International Trade Center and Peringgit and is expected to be completed in June 2018 to reduce traffic congestion.^[21]

MELAKA SPORTS DEVELOPMENT ICON

Datuk Seri Utama Ir. Idris Haron has been named the recipient of the Melaka Sports Developmenet Icon Award in March 2018 in recognition of his services helping to develop state sports especially football. Malacca football has made a resurgence within a short period of time and continues to be in the Super League. Excellence in sports is able to enhance the image and attention of the Melaka state in the eyes of the world, especially with the achievements of boasting Melaka athletes and teams.^[22]