ALOR GAJAH: Flooding will be the first problem tackled in Gadek if Barisan Nasional retains the seat, says the coalition's candidate S. Nadarajah as he makes his final push for votes ahead of polling day.
The MIC candidate said flooding had eased compared with previous years but still occurred in parts of the constituency, along with drainage and sewerage problems.
Aside from floods, Nadarajah said his focus would be on community service, education and a sustainable economy for residents.
"For them, service is more important," he said.
He said almost 40% of Gadek's population were youths under 40, and many of them were jobless.
Nadarajah said he would hold career fairs from time to time with companies from the Pegoh industrial estate, which falls within the constituency.
"It's lucky for us in Gadek to make use of the opportunities there," he said.
He described his manifesto as "purely tailor-made for locals".
The former Melaka MIC Youth chief said he had been working the ground in Gadek since 2016, helping MIC candidates Datuk P. Panirchelvam and later Datuk VP Shanmugam.
"This is not a new place for me. I'm very familiar with the Umno leaders, MIC leaders and even MCA leaders here," he said.
He said 60% to 70% of Gadek still kept to a traditional kampung way of life.
Nadarajah said Malay voters had welcomed him warmly throughout the campaign, adding that support from the Indian community "shouldn't be a problem".
He said Melaka had ranked high in tourism, economic growth and youth development over the past three years under caretaker chief minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.
"We can see and we can feel the development done by the Chief Minister. This is what we want to continue.
"All the voters should stay together with Barisan to get more benefits for themselves," he said.
Gadek, a Malay-majority seat, is the only seat MIC is contesting in the Melaka state election.
Nadarajah faces a four-cornered fight against Pakatan Harapan's K. Jegasilan, Bersama's B. Laveen and Laila Norinda Maon of Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia.
