VOTERS from the B40 group in Rantau are frustrated with lack of development in their area and want their next assemblyman to start delivering.

And they are not asking for much. They told The Malaysian Insight that among their main needs include decent street lights, efficient public transport, proper drainage and green space for their children to play.

While some of them admitted that their former assemblyman Mohamad Hasan delivered during his stint, they think more can be done for them by whoever wins the by-election on Saturday.

The by-election will see a four-cornered fight involving former Negri Sembilan menteri besar Mohamad, Pakatan Harapan’s Dr S. Streram and two independents – R. Malarvizhi and Mohd Nor Yassin.

“Fifteen years under Tok Mat (Mohamad) and almost one year under Pakatan Harapan and not much has changed in our taman,” said Suresh, 34, from Taman Sri Ramai, Kuala Sawah, Rantau.

The mechanic who commutes almost 40 minutes daily from his home to Seremban to work said there has been no big improvements in the area since he moved here in 1996.

His house, a corner unit in a housing estate of 30 houses, is directly opposite a small patch of grass which leads to thick jungle. Only a small road separates them from the jungle, as well as rubber and palm oil plantations.

“We don’t have proper facilities here, this taman has 30 houses. Most of them have children but there’s no space for them to play. As you can see, there’s small land here but it leads straight to the jungle,” he said.

Street lights along the road leading to the housing estate are a major problem for the residents here. Broken lights have not been fixed, leading to accidents.

“A few months ago, I was riding home from work on my motorcycle and I hit a cow crossing the road. I couldn’t go to work for a few months because of injury,” he said.

Suresh said such accidents were quite common.

He added that he has been trying for almost 10 years now to obtain welfare aid for his disabled mother but has not received anything from the government although his family falls under the B40 category just like many others in the area.

 For Sugumaran, 58, he has simply grown tired of BN.

“Fifteen years under Tok Mat and things haven’t changed. We will give Pakatan Harapan five years and see what they can do,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

The rubber tapper said life was tough and he makes only RM20 a day.

“If it rains, I can’t go and work, and I don’t get money that day,” he said.

He is working to take care of a sick wife and has two adult children who help out with the bills.

“We just want the facilities in this area to improve so the children can play and life is easier.”

Of the 20,925 voters in Rantau, Malays comprise 55.11% or 11,283, Chinese (18.8% or 3,849) and Indians (26.06% or 5,336). 

Although the Indians in Rantau are largely poor, many Chinese and Malays are also from the B40 group. Many Malays here are Felda settlers and the Chinese, just like the Indians, are rubber tappers.   

Another major grouse from this group of voters is the inability to obtain bank loans.

Salmah, who is in her 30s, and her brother Aniff, who both run an auto parts shop in Taman Pasir Mas, said even though they have a business, banks refused to give them loans for nine years.

“We have not been able to get a loan although we have a business here. We have been wanting to expand for nine years but can’t get a loan,” said Salmah.

Her brother said they’ve been turned down by many banks.

“They want to see the money in our account although we have a lot of assets here in the shop.”

These voters said they are not going to cast their votes for the candidate who gives them handouts. Instead they will elect someone able to provide them the tools to have a safe and dignified livelihood. – April 11, 2019.