YOU help me, I help you.

This is the message by Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail to the Chinese community in Cameron Highlands, in the run-up to Saturday’s by-election.

“We need to remember the word ‘help’. I ask for your help now, and later, you can ask me for help,” he told voters after officiating at the Tien Hou temple last night.

Acknowledging that the temporary occupation licence (TOL) issue is among locals’ top complaints, he called on voters to back Barisan Nasional candidate Ramli Mohd Nor, saying having an MP from the pact controlling the state government will make it easier to resolve land issues.

“Together, we can help one another, it’s not difficult. On January 26… you take the ballot paper, you think to yourself, ‘Can this person really help me? When it comes to land issues, only Ramli can help me, because land is under the state government, right?’.

“Once we win, I will come up here again.”

Wan Rosdy said as menteri besar, he has approved 51 applications for TOLs.

“Upon holding this post, firstly, I approved the changing of names (on land titles) for parents who want to give land to their children. It got approved within two days.

“On TOL land, I do not want to promise anything, but what I can say is, it will get better. Fifty-one people have gotten permits, and another 22 will get theirs soon.”

The Jelai assemblyman added that he believes Chinese in Cameron Highlands will vote wisely as they know the importance of having more business opportunities.

“On January 26, think wisely. For Cameron Highlands’ benefit, vote BN.

“Today is only January 21. You have a few more days to think about the fact that land is a state issue.

“Also remember, even though your menteri besar is not 100% from Cameron Highlands, I am 50% because I am from Jelai, which is very close by.”

The by-election will see a four-way fight between Ramli, Pakatan Harapan’s M. Manogaran, and independents Sallehudin Ab Talib and Wong Seng Yee. Early voting will be held today. – January 22, 2019.