Anfaal (second from left) is banking on the female voters and support from the Pakatan-Barisan pact to win the Taman Templer seat.
FORMER Selangor state exco member Zaidy Abdul Talib from Perikatan Nasional-PAS hopes to reclaim the Taman Templer seat in Selangor that he lost to Mohd Sany Hamzan from Pakatan Harapan in 2018.
Zaidy, who won the seat in 2013, will now take on two women; Amanah’s Anfaal Saari from Pakatan and Aida Rahman from Muda.
Anfaal, 44, is the daughter of former Hulu Kelang assemblyman and political activist Saari Sungib.
She wants to continue her father’s legacy but on her own strength, using the opportunity to champion women and family issues.
Saari was detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) and was in Kamunting prison between 2001 and 2003.
“I was 19 when my father was detained and as the eldest among seven siblings, I knew my life would no longer be the same,” she said, adding that she attended court hearings and followed his struggle closely.
“I knew I would join politics. I joined Amanah in 2015 when my dad helped to form the party,” said the mother of six, who has a Business Administration degree and served as councillor in Ampang Jaya Municipal Council.
Aida meeting voters in a restaurant in Taman Templer. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star
Taman Templer has a fair share of small to medium enterprises with many businesswomen, and Anfaal said, “I think I have a slight edge as the voters here are almost 51% female. I can easily relate to their issues.”
On other matters, she said, “In Taman Templer, we have traffic congestion.
“Although it is a Federal matter, it is something that will require assistance from the state government too.
“My strength also comes from the unity government.
“The Barisan Nasional team is helping with the campaign and I am grateful,” she said.
Muda candidate Aida, 30, said she would focus on check and balance in the state government if she were elected.
The pharmaceutical graduate also wants to improve public facilities in Taman Templer.
“There is a need to improve basic infrastructure such as roads.
“I also want to highlight women’s needs in business, child upbringing and education sectors,” said Aida.
Meanwhile, Zaidy plans to continue some of the activities he had initiated as assemblyman if he is able to wrest the seat this time around.
The 51-year-old said he had not closed his service centre, opened after GE13 in 2013, to show his commitment to the voters despite his initiatives being grounded.
He expressed the desire to tie up some loose ends for the community.
“I had a tuition programme for Indian students in the low-cost flats in Prima Selayang and it stopped when I was no longer the assemblyman.
“I care for the Indian community too and feel close to them as I grew up in an estate in Negri Sembilan.
“My family later moved to a Felda settlement.
“I know very well that poverty and hardship does not see race,” he said.
He added that there was some unfinished business such as infrastructure which he wanted to pursue as well.
The Taman Templer constituency has 62,978 voters.
The breakdown of voters here are Malay (63.4%), Chinese (20.91%), Indian (14.06%), Sabahan (0.21%), Sarawakian (0.17%), Orang Asli (0.08%) and others 1.17%.
