Leong (left) showing Pakatan Harapan’s symbol to a constituent on his campaign trail.
The main concerns of the large number of B40 folk in the Selayang parliamentary constituency revolve around socio-economic issues.
These include better education and job opportunities.
They want an MP who will champion a revamp of the education system.
Technical and vocational education and training opportunities (TVET) for youths who are not academically inclined are also high on their wishlist.
A. Jeyaseelan, 57, who has lived in Selayang for over 30 years, said many from the B40 community needed greater help in their studies.
“I know of Form Five students who cannot do simple mathematics and have no interest in their studies,” he said.
Academically weak students, he said, needed to be provided with free tuition and a conducive learning space that was lacking in many of the homes.
He is also of the view that UPSR and PT3 should be brought back.
“I feel the abolishment of these major public exams is detrimental to students,” said Jeyaseelan.
To prevent youths having to travel far for employment, the Selayang folk are also calling for more industries to be based in the constituency.
Chan (in light blue T-shirt) taking a wefie with youths during a walkabout.
N. Sivanyanam, 65, who has lived in Selayang all his life, said more job opportunities were needed in the constituency.
“We need jobs here so people do not have to travel far for work.
“Low-wage earners can then save on transportation expenses and commute time.”
He also said road conditions needed to be improved, highlighting that government projects took too long to be completed.
Jeyaseelan said more sports and games should be organised to help build character and discipline among children and youths.
Discipline and good social and communication skills could help them improve their lives and lift themselves out of poverty, he said.
He added that there were many other national issues which needed to be looked at.
Contesting the seat in the 15th General Election is incumbent MP William Leong from Pakatan Harapan (PKR), Barisan Nasional’s Chan Wun Hoong (MCA), Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari (Perikatan Nasional-Bersatu), Salleh Amiruddin (Gerakan Tanah Air-Pejuang) and Independent candidate Muhammad Zaki Omar.
