SARASWATHY Kandasami, PKR’s candidate for the Tapah parliamentary seat in Perak, will rely on the “Anwar Ibrahim factor” for her win in the November 19 general election.

The PKR vice-president, who is contesting in her first general election, told The Malaysian Insight despite Pakatan Harapan (PH) creating history by winning the 2018 general election, Anwar was denied the chance to become prime minister following the defection of several lawmakers within the party in the infamous 2020 Sheraton Move.

“The voters will punish those who betrayed the people’s mandate in the 2018 federal polls.

“I can see a very strong sentiment (towards PH) and this time the wave is for Anwar,” she said.

Saraswathy is hoping to ride this wave in Tapah where she will be up against the incumbent, Barisan Nasional’s (BN) M. Saravanan, who is a three-term parliamentarian in the constituency.

She said Anwar became the victim due to the defection of PKR members, adding the whole ploy was designed to deny him the opportunity to lead the country.

“We are not playing the victim card but I’m just saying that the voters might punish those who defected or those who defied public mandate just because they wanted power,” she said.

Saraswathy also said that naming Anwar as the PH prime minister candidate for this election was due to his proven track record as a finance minister in the past.

“He was once the finance minister. There was no element of corruption against him and he was deemed one of the best finance ministers in the region.

“He has maintained that he will bring about institutional reforms, fight against corruption and put the economy back on track.

“Based on his track record, he is the only one who can deliver as opposed any other PM candidates who have been proposed,” she said.

Anwar will be contesting in the Tambun parliamentary constituency, where he will be up against incumbent Ahmad Faizal Azumu (Perikatan Nasional), Aminuddin Md Hanafiah (BN) and Abdul Rahim Tahir (Pejuang).

A shot in the arm for the Orang Asli

Saraswathy, a former MIC student member and the first female candidate to be fielded in the constituency, said she has a development plan for Tapah.

She wants to transform Tapah – a rural federal constituency – into a well-developed town, which she said would provide various new opportunities, improve the socio-economy as well as enhance the living standard of its people.

Her plans very much include the Orang Asli – the “game changers” in the constituency.

“Tapah deserves better. Compared to neighbouring constituencies like Kampar, it is very much behind, does not have proper healthcare facilities, road infrastructures, public transport system, job opportunities and tourism attraction,” the lawyer said.

“When it comes to job opportunities, there are just one or two factories operating here. They are very rural and don’t have much economic activity.

“I’m putting forward a lot of new approaches to attract tourists because it is just at the foothill of Cameron Highlands but they currently do not attract many foreign tourists.

“Local tourists are confined to Lata Kinjang and Lata Iskandar but I’m hoping Tapah can have agro-tourism and eco-tourism products.

“We don’t intend to have high-rise buildings but with the ecosystem it has, maintaining its greenery, we can promote tourism,” she said.

Saraswathy described the 9,000-odd Orang Asli community here as being “used” as a vote bank by BN.

“Here, the Orang Asli are only treated as vote banks. Nothing has been done for their benefit, their tradition or products.

“It is not showcased to attract tourists but we have plans for all this,” she said, adding they intend to host an annual Orang Asli day in the town to promote their unique tradition, culture and products to attract foreign tourists and promote tourism.

“We have such events abroad where it gets a good reception. I have plans to replicate it so it could benefit the Orang Asli people in Tapah,” she said.

Saraswathy said was not making empty promises but has a complete and comprehensive plan for the constituency.

“If they are convinced with the plan and give us an opportunity, we will implement it one by one”.

The Tapah constituency is made up of 28,000 Malay voters, Chinese (14,000), Orang Asli (9,700) and Indians (8,500). – November 5, 2022.