Thursday 28 Mar 2024
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This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on May 2, 2018

THE Edge Financial Daily ran a street poll recently to gauge voters’ sentiments ahead of the 14th general election (GE14). Here is a sampling of their comments:


KC, 27, florist, Pasar Seni
Q: What improvement would you most like to see in your life today?
A: A better economy, lifestyle and purchasing power. I’m also hoping the ringgit is stronger and more stable.

What local issue affects you the most?
For this constituency, Bukit Bintang, perhaps a better cleanliness. You can walk around and see for yourself the conditions here.

What is your message for your wakil rakyat?
I can’t think of any.

What is your message for your fellow voters?
For those born in the 1990s and are eligible to vote, please come out and vote. Don’t just be keyboard warriors.

 

Azni Samsudin, 52, taxi driver, Pasar Seni
What improvement would you most like to see in your life today?
I hope there are more talent development programmes for all Malaysians. I wish I can have better knowledge and more confidence in myself.

What local issue affects you the most?
Security. We should have a more secure environment, so people can have the confidence to walk around in the city without any worries.

What is your message for your wakil rakyat?
Not just wakil rakyat, but for all our leaders. They have to act professionally and earn our (the public) respect, so we can have greater confidence in them.

What is your message for your fellow voters?
Vote freely, don’t be affected by others. We must believe in ourselves.

 


Kua Choon Chuan, 51,food stall operator, Pasar Seni

What improvement would you most like to see in your life today?
A two-party system, and not one-party dominance. Also, segregation of duties in public office. We cannot have the prime minister also holding the finance minister position concurrently — there would be no checks and balance.

What local issue affects you the most?
Around Petaling Street, foreign workers are taking over businesses. It affects the culture in this area. The government should control the number of foreigners and help preserve the cultural heritage here. When tourists visit my stall, looking for the so-called Chinatown, what they see is all these foreigners. These people rent the retail lots from locals and are running all the businesses.

What is your message for your wakil rakyat?
I can’t think of any.

What is your message for your fellow voters?
I hope everyone comes out to vote. It is our duty. We are not secondary citizens. Our ancestors were part of the team that negotiated for independence, so we have a duty to vote and decide the country’s future direction. We are unlike the Chinese in the US or other countries. They are not citizens, but migrants. In their case, it is okay if they are not interested in voting, but Malaysian Chinese are different. It is our duty.

 

Nanteswaran, 25, customer service executive, Batu, Kuala Lumpur
What improvement would you most like to see in your life today?
Better career prospects with good income.

What local issue affects you the most?
Just like myself, many fresh graduates here cannot secure jobs related to what they studied.

What is your message for your wakil rakyat?
Be responsible towards the people you represent. Please “turun padang” (be on location) when we are facing any issues.

What is your message for your fellow voters?
Please study the qualities of the candidates contesting in your constituency, and vote wisely.

 


Fareez, 42, petty trader, Lembah Pantai
What improvement would you most like to see in your life today?
To be eligible for government assistance such as DBKL (Kuala Lumpur City Hall) housing and BR1M (1Malaysia People’s Aid). Who cares if my spouse’s address stated on the IC (identification card) is in an opposition-controlled constituency outside Selangor?

What local issue affects you the most?
The cost of living and housing issues. We are a family of 12 renting a two-room flat. I am not able to purchase a house under the DBKL People’s Housing Project which I have applied for since 2004. I have appealed 33 times in the past 14 years, and have seen permanent residents’ applications approved after just three months.

What is your message for your wakil rakyat?
No more empty promises. Also, make it easy for the public to approach you directly.

What is your message for your fellow voters?
Voting is a responsibility. Go out and vote.

 


Vetriveran, 60, Grab driver, stall operator, Taman Medan, Petaling Jaya

What improvement would you most like to see in your life today?
To see my income rising on par with the inflation rate, and ample career opportunities for fresh graduates.

What local issue affects you the most?
Petty traders are not eligible to charge GST (goods and services tax) on our customers. We suffer as margins have shrunk too much. Also, my son graduated with an engineering degree from a local university three years ago, but could not pursue a career in engineering.

What is your message for your wakil rakyat?
We can all put in efforts to work and earn a living, so help the youth secure jobs at most within six months of graduation.

What is your message for your fellow voters?
To make an impact, everyone must go out and exercise your right to choose the government. It is not good enough to have just a 70% to 80% turnout.

 


Halil Izran, 31, business development group officer, Pandan Indah

What improvement would you most like to see in your life today?
A stronger ringgit and cheaper prices of goods.

What local issue affects you the most?
The maintenance level for infrastructure — I am not happy with the conditions of road, and having to pay so many taxes and tolls.

What is your message for your wakil rakyat?
Less politicking, please. Get the job done and resolve issues instead of pointing fingers.

What is your message for your fellow voters?
Please vote wisely. Every vote counts to make a change.

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