LEMBAH Pantai residents want Nurul Izzah Anwar to remain as MP as they think she has done a great job connecting with the people since taking the seat in 2008.

Engineering consultant Hamidan Ahmad, 49, said Nurul Izzah always went down to the ground to meet supporters and listen to the people’s concerns.

“I hope she’ll be here again next term because she’s doing great now,” he told The Malaysian Insight during an event, where banana fritters were distributed for free, organised by Lembah Pantai PKR Wanita near the Kerinchi People’s Housing Project today.

“I was surprised that she came here today, even though her picture is on the banner. I thought she would be busy.

“I think the programme was well-received, and it should be done at least once a week.”

A Malaysiakini report last year, citing PKR sources, said Nurul Izzah would be fielded in Permatang Pauh, while her mother, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, would contest a seat in the Klang Valley in the 14th general election.

However, Nurul Izzah recently said she would defend her Lembah Pantai seat.

Lembah Pantai PKR Wanita leader Azura Ibrahim said the event was not held just because GE14 was around the corner.

She said the event aimed at bringing people in the area together, and to meet Nurul Izzah.

“Maybe, the people here do not have the right channel to get news about Pakatan Harapan and YB (Nurul Izzah).

“Therefore, when they’re here, besides getting free banana fritters, they can also tell us, and YB, their concerns,” she said, adding that the stall distributing free banana fritters was set up by 4.30pm.

Azura prepared 500 packets to be given away, and by 5.30pm, only 200 were left.

Another resident, who wanted to be known only as “Din”, said he was dissatisfied with the ruling government, and hoped that change would take place in GE14.

He said his main concern was the issue surrounding the influx of foreign workers in the country, who took up jobs that could, instead, be given to locals.

“Where should the locals go? Leaders say the people are lazy, but that is not the case. The people always look for jobs. It is wrong when they say that.

“Most of our jobs are being taken over by foreign workers,” said the 56-year-old.

Nurul Izzah said she preferred to be fielded in Lembah Pantai.

“We are preparing the machinery as if I’m going to contest tomorrow, but I have to be respectful of the decision of the leadership.

“And, I reminded Fahmi (Fadzil), Nik Nazmi (Nik Ahmad) and all the leaders that we are merely soldiers in the biggest team of this struggle, so we need to take up that kind of readiness to be sent anywhere, but of course, I would prefer to be fielded here.”

Wanita Umno head Shahrizat Abdul Jalil had previously said Nurul Izzah was afraid to contest in Lembah Pantai because Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin had been doing her work.

Shahrizat had said there were rumours that women in the opposition camp had turned their backs on their constituencies. – February 11, 2018.