KLANG – With polling day for the 15th general elections (GE15) just around the corner, incumbent Klang MP Charles Santiago has urged politically apathetic voters to exercise their voting rights in favour of Pakatan Harapan (PH).
He stressed that compared to other major coalitions, particularly Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN), PH has a fairly comprehensive manifesto which addresses issues faced by the people, including climate change and lowering the cost of living.
“Based on several localities that I’ve visited, a lot of citizens don’t want to vote because they feel as if democracy isn’t bringing about change for the people,” he said at a press conference in a food court here today.
“It might be true (for voters to feel that) our country has no hope or politicians can’t be trusted but we must put aside (such worries) for now.
“Now is not the time to be upset, (instead it is) the time to pull together and make sure that PH and its prime minister candidate (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) recaptures Putrajaya.”
Santiago, who will not be defending his federal seat after DAP dropped him for current Kota Kemuning state assemblyman Ganabatirau Veraman, also said that his replacement will shoulder heavy responsibilities if he secures a win in GE15.
“The key issues in Klang which require urgent attention are flood mitigation efforts and the safety of coastal areas here which might be inundated within 30 years instead of the 50 years originally predicted by climate change experts.
“This (climate change) is no joke anymore. Klang will be the biggest losers in the long run if a new drainage and irrigation system is not implemented.
“It is now up to (Ganabatirau) to come up with a plan and push his proposed solutions like his life depends on it,” he said.
Ganabatirau, who was also present at the joint press conference, simply stated that Charles’ apparent backing of him is a much-appreciated “booster”.
Voters willing to carry on rain or shine
Meanwhile, several Klang residents approached by The Vibes said that they are looking forward to casting their ballots, come rain or shine, since numerous areas in Klang are projected to be flood hotspots.
Taxi-driver Rajan, 67, proudly stated that he is willing to wade through flood waters to reach his polling station if the situation on Saturday (November 19) is as such.
“Even if my house near Port Klang is flooded, my family members and I will still head out to vote,” he said, adding that he had received plenty of assistance from Santiago during the devastating floods last December.
“(Santiago) is a good man. I don’t know much about (Ganabatirau) but I’m willing to give him a chance since he is with PH.”
Another resident, who requested to be known as Edmund, said that he does not think the weather this weekend will be as “dangerous” as estimated by weather forecasters.
“If it rains and floods, I can just walk to my polling station. I don’t think the rain (over the upcoming weekend) will be that heavy anyway,” he said.
He added that Ganabatirau should prepare himself to address the needs of the Klang community, which differs from the population in his former state constituency, Kota Kemuning.
“Most of the people in Klang are old-timers, families who have been here for generations and are barely surviving while thinking about where their next meal will be coming from,” he said.
“Kota Kemuning’s population is newer, so the problems faced might differ. I hope (Ganabatirau) realises this.”
Ganabatirau faces a seven-cornered fight in Klang. Other candidates include Barisan Nasional’s Tee Hooi Ling, Warisan’s Loo Cheng Wee, Parti Rakyat Malaysia’s S. Chandrasegar, and Perikatan Nasional’s P. Jaya Chandran.
The battle also features two independent candidates, Hedrhin Ramli and J.R. Deepak Jaikishan.
Santiago, who has helmed the Klang federal seat for three terms, won the seat with a 78,773-vote majority over MCA candidate Datuk Ching Eu Boon during the 2018 general election. – The Vibes, November 16, 2022
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