Cheras BN candidate Chong Yew Chuan visiting polling centre at IPD Cheras for the early vote.— LOW BOON TAT/THE STAR
FROM national issues like overdevelopment to community-based concerns like welfare of the poor, the three Cheras candidates in the 15th General Election have their own take on what needs to be addressed in order to gain the confidence of the constituency's 101,184 voters.
Barisan Nasional candidate Chong Yew Chuan (MCA) said he would push for more affordable housing, especially for first-time homeowners.
He also highlighted the need to address the issue of children who were unable to attain Malaysian citizenship when the child's father is not Malaysian.
Perikatan Nasional candidate Ruby Chin Yoke Kheng (Bersatu-Bersekutu) intends to look into the welfare of single mothers and youth.
"Prior to my decision to contest in this election, I did a lot of charity work and understood the hardship of the underprivileged.
"If elected, I aim to empower women, especially single mothers and youths, so that they can secure jobs," said the 41-year-old.
Chin herself is a single mother, with three children, and had spent most of her growing-up years in Cheras.
"I want to set up a mobile office to reach out to the people of Cheras," she told StarMetro.
Pakatan Harapan candidate and six-term incumbent MP Tan Kok Wai said Cheras was saturated with development projects and dense population that brings irreversible damage to the environment.
"There is limited space for new roads and infrastructure," he said.
Tan said he would push for sustainable development in Kuala Lumpur, via the All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia (APPGM) - Sustainable Development Goal.
APPGM is a forum for MPs, the Senate and professionals to discuss and research topics of common interest as well as submit reports of recommendations to the Parliament.
"Previously, I worked with the residents of Loke Yew Flats and Sri Sarawak Public Housing to turn their refuse areas into a community hall used for events, soup kitchen and even vegetable farming.
