Healthy rivalry: Mohamad Yusri and Abd Muhaimin embracing each other and exchanging leaflets during their campaign in Ayer Kuning town. — Bernama
TAPAH: Perikatan Nasional’s manifesto for the Ayer Kuning by-election will address concerns from villagers related to their farmlands such as wild animals damaging their crops, says the coalition’s candidate Abd Muhaimin Malek.
The 44-year-old religious school principal said these are among concerns and issues raised by voters in the rural constituency that the coalition needs to address.
“(The manifesto) should be ready within two to three days. These are issues we collect from villages and the areas that we’ve been to,” he told a press conference in Ayer Kuning yesterday.
“From our interaction with some Chinese folk, their concerns involved farmlands, wild animals destroying their crops and wandering animals causing road accidents,” said Abd Muhaimin.
At a walkabout later in Ayer Kuning town, Abd Muhaimin, who is also Tapah PAS chief, said he would bring all the issues faced by constituents to the state and Federal Government if elected.
“It is my and Perikatan’s commitment to be the voice of the people. We aim for a stable economy and to care for people of all races,” he said.
On Thursday, PAS vice-president Datuk Idris Ahmad said the manifesto would include efforts to strengthen the local economy and improve its infrastructure.
The Bagan Serai MP said the manifesto will also include initiatives for education, welfare, and the empowerment of youth and women.
The Ayer Kuning by-election was called after its incumbent Ishsam Shahruddin passed away in February.
Polling is on April 26 while early voting is on April 22.
Abd Muhaimin faces Barisan Nasional’s Dr Mohamad Yusri Bakir and KS Bawani of Parti Sosialis Malaysia in the battle for the state seat.
In the 2022 General Election, Ishsam polled 9,088 votes and won by a 2,213 majority, defeating Pakatan Harapan’s Mohd Nazri Hashim, Muhammad Noor Farid of Perikatan, Pejuang’s Maziah Salim and Bawani.
Abd Muhaimin said he feels encouraged by the feedback he has received.
“We can see an increase in support from all races, which is a positive sign,” he added.
At a separate press conference, Idris said the state government needs to justify a two-week water cut in the constituency due to a burst pipe in February.
He claimed that the cut had affected 50,000 people, adding that the Perak Water Board had confirmed that the burst pipe was caused by land encroachment.
“The state needs to identify the culprits and take stern action.
“The people deserve to know the truth and the government needs to ensure that it will not recur.”
