MELAKA: Perikatan Nasional’s Rafie Ahmad has pledged to protect the rights of non-Muslims in Paya Rumput and help eligible families who have missed out on welfare aid if elected.
The Tangga Batu PAS deputy chief, who is making his electoral debut, said he would serve constituents regardless of race or religion.
“I serve the people. We do not differentiate between race, ethnicity or religion, because as Muslims we are taught to be just to everyone,” he said in an interview on Monday (Nov 9).
Rafie said he had received an encouraging response from every community he met during the campaign and would help constituents who had been overlooked for assistance.
"If there are Chinese voters who are eligible for assistance but have not received it, we will work to get it for them. The same goes for the Indian community,” he said.
Rafie faces Pakatan Harapan’s Datuk Azman Abidin and Parti Bersama Malaysia’s Abdul Rashid Abu Bakar in a three-cornered contest for the state seat.
Paya Rumput has 46,521 registered voters, the second-highest number among Melaka’s 28 constituencies.
According to ElectionData.MY, Malay voters make up 62.4% of the electorate, followed by Chinese voters at 28.9% and Indian voters at 6.1%.
Rafie said Perikatan and Barisan Nasional campaign teams had been canvassing together, with support from party workers within and outside the constituency.
“When we go down to the ground, we move together and meet voters together, telling them, ‘This is our joint candidate,’” he said.
On recurring flash floods in Paya Rumput, Rafie said he would meet housing developers if elected and press for drainage and other infrastructure improvements to accompany new projects.
The Election Commission has set Nov 10 for early voting and Nov 14 for polling in the Melaka state election. Campaigning ends at 11.59pm on Nov 13.
