Connecting with the people: Wan Azizah greeting attendees at the ‘Sepetang Bersama Kak Wan’ in Kuala Kubu Baru while Ramanan (behind Wan Azizah) looks on. — KK SHAM/The Star
HULU SELANGOR: No government is perfect, but Pakatan Harapan is constantly improving and fixing its shortcomings, says former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail in her appeal to Kuala Kubu Baru’s voters ahead of the area’s by-election.
“We are not perfect, and in fact, no one is perfect. But we always improve on our situation,” said Wan Azizah, a senior Pakatan leader, in a speech after launching the Suara Perpaduan podcast here yesterday.
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The Bandar Tun Razak MP urged KKB’s over 40,000 voters to choose Pakatan Harapan again in order to ensure continuity in service for the constituency.
“If you want to vote for others during the general election, then it is up to you. But, now, I’m asking you to choose the same party so that the government’s plans will continue.”
KKB was represented by Pakatan’s Lee Kee Hiong before her death from cancer in March, thus triggering the by-election.
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Pakatan’s banner is now being carried by Pang Sock Tao, who faces three other candidates in the by-election.
They are Perikatan Nasional’s Khairul Azhari Saut, Hafizah Zainudin of Parti Rakyat Malaysia, and Independent Nyau Ke Xin.
In her speech, Wan Azizah also urged the contesting parties to campaign ethically and not emotionally.
“Contesting parties should not touch on sensitive issues such as the 3Rs (race, royalty and religion) to maintain social harmony.
“Though we are different in terms of religion and skin colour, we are Malaysians,” she said.
At a separate Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM) event, Wan Azizah praised the initiative for assisting many female entrepreneurs from all walks of life in expanding their businesses.
“Learn from these women who are so hardworking in running their businesses. They could expand their initiatives with little capital and assistance,” said Wan Azizah during a hi-tea session at Fraser Valley in Kuala Kubu Baru.
Deputy Minister of Entrepreneurs and Cooperatives Development Datuk Ramanan Ramakrishnan, who was also present at the AIM event, said the fund’s new programme, PENN, aims to assist Indian women entrepreneurs by providing financing of up to RM30,000.
PENN, which stands for Prosperity, Empowerment & a New Normal for Indian Women, is set to benefit more than 10,000 female Indian AIM partners so as to create a thriving and competitive Indian entrepreneurial community.
Applications have been open since April 15, 2024, and can be made nationwide at all 124 AIM branches, Ramanan said.
