VOTERS in the Seri Setia state constituency in Selangor have urged Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Halimey Abu Bakar to prioritise local welfare programmes and introduce more development to the area to raise the standard of living.

To most locals, whether or not the new government has succeeded in fulfilling all of its 10 promises within its first 100 days is inconsequential, said Halimey.

“After five days of campaigning, most of the people that we have met do not question about the 100 days, they only want to know more about Inisiatif Peduli Rakyat (IPR),” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Halimey was referring to the state-wide scheme which includes programmes for low-income and underprivileged communities, such as free water, health funding, tuition and others.

PH recently came under fire from opposition Barisan Nasional parties and some civil societies for failing to fulfil all 10 of its pledges by their 100th day in office.

But Halimey said in Seri Setia, the concerns of voters remains with bread-and-butter issues and welfare programmes.

He said he was aware of the problems in the area, and that vandalism and a lack of good infrastructure as the main ones that should be addressed.

“I can see that these problems can be reduced if we hold programmes that involve the community.

“We have to give them a message on cleanliness, among many others,” he said, adding that problems involving trash keep recurring due to the people’s attitude.

Halimey is hoping to retain the seat for PH in the coming September 8 by-election which was called following the death of incumbent Shaharuddin Badaruddin on August 2 due to colon cancer.

He will go up against PAS’ Dr Halimah Ali in a straight fight.

“When I go for my walkabouts, voters here told me to not worry and assured me that I will win.

“They told me that they do not care about the promises but highlighted that they are in support of IPR for the lower income earners,” said Halimey.

Halimey, 46, has been a member of PKR since 1998 and was active in the Youth wing. He rose among the ranks to become Selangor PKR Youth chief from 2006 to 2009.

He then became PKR Kelana Jaya information chief in 2015 and served as a local councillor at the Petaling Jaya City Council.

Halimey, who grew up in Kg Lindungan which is in the state constituency, said he did not wish to focus on the Umno-PAS cooperation in the coming by-election and wished only to focus on his own campaign.

“To me, Umno and PAS can continue to cooperate if they wish to do so. Pakatan Harapan is committed to our mission and vision to always put the people first,” he said.

Seri Setia has 52,650 voters, comprising 55% Malays, Indians (24%), Chinese (20%) and others (2%). The seat was held by PKR’s Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad for the past two terms before GE14.

The Seri Setia by-election will be held simultaneously with the Balakang by-election. EC deputy chairman Othman Mahmood said the campaign period for both by-elections will be for 21 days. – August 24, 2018.