MELAKA: All three candidates vying for the Bandar Hilir seat share a goal of uplifting the constituency – but they have different ideas on how to get there.
These include better care for the elderly, opportunities for young people and upgrading the city’s infrastructure and facilities.
Barisan Nasional candidate Jasmine Lok Huey Yee said the rising cost of living was a recurring concern raised by voters during her walkabouts, with many families saying they are struggling to cope with household expenses.
“The families are having to manage their finances carefully. Earning a living is not easy these days, yet there are so many things we need to spend on,” said the 38-year-old councillor, who has served since 2022.
One of her proposals is the Jasmine Care Van, a dedicated transport service to help elderly residents, particularly those living alone, get to hospitals and health clinics for medical appointments.
She also wants to expand free health screenings and provide free business spaces for young entrepreneurs, particularly those from Gen Z, to start their ventures and earn an income locally.
Traffic congestion and parking shortages around popular tourist attractions are among other issues she hopes to address through better planning.
Drawing on 25 years of experience as a professional engineer and urban development technocrat, Parti Bersama Malaysia candidate Dr Rashidi Abdul Jalil said basic infrastructure problems, including traffic congestion, road closures, poor drainage and damaged roads must be resolved first.
He questioned why Bandar Hilir had not developed at the same pace as George Town, despite both cities receiving Unesco heritage recognition in 2008.
Rashidi added that better-paying jobs were needed to stop young people from leaving for Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
For Pakatan Harapan candidate Leng Chau Yen, an area of concern is the growing elderly population.
She said her close ties with residents had given her a better understanding of their struggles.
Leng said many senior citizens were still working to support themselves and their families – making better welfare assistance and employment opportunities important priorities.
She also wants to ensure residents benefit from planned development and initiatives in the constituency.
