GE15: Cybersecurity issues, retiree welfare among key concerns of PJ folk

IN AN unconventional move, Petaling Jaya parliamentary candidates in the 15th General Election (GE15) were provided with a ready platform to deliver their campaign talks.

The candidates were invited to present their ceramah at a "Meet The Candidate" event for the voters to make an informed decision come polling time.

The event on Sunday (Nov 13) was organised by MyPj, the coalition of NGOs, professionals and residents' groups.

Battling for the seat are Chew Hien Tat (Barisan Nasional-MCA), Lee Chean Chung (Pakatan Harapan-PKR), Datuk Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor (Parti Rakyat Malaysia), Mazween Mokhtar (GTA-Pejuang), Datuk Theng Book (Perikatan Nasional-Bersatu), and Dr KJ John (Independent).

Among the attendees was resident Selva Sugumaran who said the high cost of living in the city was hard on retirees.

"The price of goods in Petaling Jaya is higher than that in Klang by 60%. Something has to be done at the policy level to ease our burden because not everyone is able to uproot and move to a cheaper area," he said.

Single mother of two, R. Theresa, 42, said higher education might be out of reach for her children if they failed to get a place in a public university.

She wants more scholarships to be given based on merit, to children from B40 and M40 families.

MyPJ chairman Jefrey Phang wants to see institutional reform with public participation.

"Issues such as the plight of those living in condominiums and PPR flats must be tackled by the Commissioner of Buildings," he said.

Petaling Jaya City councillor Derek Fernandez said MPs should champion issues on cybersecurity and the safety of personal data which were paramount in the digital age.

First-time voter and former vice president of Petaling Jaya City Council child councillors, Qamil Mirza Abdullah, 19, said young MPs need to be heard and respected in Parliament.

The constituency has urban poor concentrated in the Taman Medan people's housing projects area while those in the higher-income bracket reside mostly in the Bukit Gasing and Seri Setia areas.

There are now 195,148 voters, compared to 140,920 in GE14.