MAKING a trip to an Orang Asli settlement in Kampung Sungai Cincin, about 20km from here, one would be surprised by the well-organised terraced houses and paved roads with street lights in the village surrounded by lush jungle. 

In an interview with the Tok Batin, Panjang Aris Wok, Bernama learned that the village is also properly equipped with electricity and water supply, as well as internet connectivity. 

The Tok Batin said the Orang Asli community is very grateful to the government for providing it with modern houses through the People’s Housing Project (PPR) and paved roads. 

“Those are the results of an efficient elected representative who went to the ground on a regular basis just to hear the people’s needs and problems. We need this kind of elected representative who is committed to serving the people,” he told Bernama.

Panjang Aris said the 42 PPR houses were built in the village of 400 in 2000, and after more than 20 years now and with the increase in the population, there is also a need to increase the number of such houses and repair the existing ones. 

As such, he said for the general election (GE) this year, the Orang Asli community in Kampung Sungai Cincin is expecting to see, or maybe vote for, a candidate who is well aware of the issues concerning the community and who is ready to go to the ground and fight for them.

Kampung Sungai Cincin is located in Chenderiang, under the Tapah parliamentary constituency. 

Its incumbent, M. Saravanan, who is also human resources minister, said he is confident he still commands the support from the Orang Asli community based on his track record as the elected representative for the constituency since 2008. 

“It is the job of the elected representative to help the people, regardless of them being Malays, Chinese, Indians or even Orang Asli, we help them all.

“If the Orang Asli have any problems, they just need to tell the Tok Batin and the Tok Batin will inform us. It is our job to solve their problems,” he said. 

In the GE, Saravanan is in a six-cornered fight to defend his seat. He is being challenged by K. Saraswathy (Pakatan Harapan-PKR), Muhammad Yadzan Mohammad (Perikatan Nasional-Bersatu), Mohamed Akbar Sherrif Ali Yasin (Warisan), M. Kathiravan (Independent) and Mior Nor Haidir Suhaimi (Pejuang). 

Caretaker youth and sports minister Ahmad Faizal Azumu, who is also former Perak menteri besar, is incumbent for the Chenderiang state seat. 

He won the seat in the previous election as a PH-PKR candidate after defeating two contenders with only a 39-vote majority. 

In the GE, Faizal is vying for the Tambun parliamentary seat, which was deemed a hot seat, against PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, Tambun Umno division chief Aminuddin Md Hanafiah and Abdul Rahim Tahir from Pejuang. 

The Chenderiang state seat on the other hand will see a seven-cornered fight between Mohd Yunus Mhd Yusop (PN-Bersatu), Ahmad Tarmizi Mohd Ghazali (Warisan), Mohd Amin Man (Pejuang), Atyrah Hanim Razali (PH-PKR), Choong Shin Heng (BN-MCA), and two Independents – Atan Katering and Teratai Bah Arom.

Polling day is on November 19. – Bernama, November 9, 2022.