KAMPAR - At the young age at 25, Daniel Wa Wai How has been tasked with shouldering the heavy responsibility of delivering the Keranji state seat, a DAP stronghold, to the Barisan Nasional (BN) in this election.
The locals in Kampar, particularly in Keranji, may be wondering who this "greenhorn" is coming to contest here.
However, to the marvel of many, Daniel, who holds a bachelor's degree in economics from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), is a familiar face as he is often seen helping out Kampar member of parliament Datuk Lee Chee Leong in his constituency service to the people.
A Bernama check showed the constituents, be they young or veterans, welcomed Daniel's candidacyy, likening him to the latest "jewel" in the Perak political scene and the "game changer" who will spearhead development in the laid-back area.
A trailer driver, Musa Amin, 48, said eventhough Daniel is the youngest BN aspirant in this 13th general election, he has a clean image in politics and his credibility and integrity as an honest and sincere person showed the coalition has second echelon leaders who can serve the people effectively.
"I see him as a person who has the potentisl to move forward. He has the patience to listen to people's views and can accept their ideas.
"He follows in the footsteps of his political mentor Datuk Lee Chee Leong," he said. Lee is also Deputy Home Minister.
Musa hoped Daniel would continue the "go down to the grassroots" tradition practised by BN politicians.
"Despite losing the Keranji seat in the last general election, BN leaders continued to be active in serving the constituents in the area.
"On the contrary, the victorious DAP assemblyman is not serious in serving the people and he is not seen working to bring development to the area over the last five years.
"So, it's my fervent hope that the winning candidate in this election will be a real people's representative, religiously attending to their needs and requirements.
"The victor must work to bring in development, particularly a new school, which we have been waiting for some time," he said.
Musa Mat Ali, 58, a government retiree, said under the BN government's transformation programme, many new faces, particularly young people, have been brought to the fore in this election.
"They will have the energy and synergy to uphold BN's aspirations for the people's well-being and the nagion's future.
"In this regard, the decision to pick Daniel was apt as he is known to the people and has the charisma as the people's leader to succeed in his mission to be the "game changer" for Keranji and deliver the seat to BN.
"I feel elated the BN leadership has nominated a young person for Keranji. I hope the people will elect Daniel this time. I've no problems with young assemblyman," he said.
A civil servant, Nga Sean Eang, 27, said Daniel's candidacy is was a "golden opportunity" to the voters, particularly the younger set, for their voice to be heard "loud and clear" by the government leaders.
"I hope and pray the winning candidate will help to develop Keranji, create more jobs and provide ample openings for tertiary education," he addee.
An emgineering student from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), here, Yuaneswaran Jegatheesan, 21, said fielding a young contestant was in tandem with the nation's rapid development towards attaining advanced nation status.
"Young people can provide fresh and practical ideas that can help the country's leadership to propel the nation to greater heights and to expedite the realisation of Malaysia into a developed nation," he said.
Mitthunraj Subramaniam, 20, an accountancy student from UTAR, concurred with Yuaneswaran, saying Daniel, being a young and exuberant youth, would use his friendly approach to all races to listen to their grouses and solve their woes in line with the 1Malaysia principle -- People First, Performance Now.
A trader, Junainah Sadon, 38, said Daniel's tertiary education and his exposure in the political arena when serving as the special assistant to Lee has moulded him into a mature person and he has all the attributes to be the Keranji state assemblyman.
"My sincere wish to the winning candidate is he or she should not neglect the interests of hawkers and petty traders like me. They should help us to find suitable locations to do our business to help us increase our income and laad a decent living," she said.
Cheong Sooi Yeem, 64, hoped Daniel, being a young aspirant, would not neglect the welfare of senior citizens like her.
"He should not only pursue the interests of the younger set, but slso pay attention to the elderly who are in need of assistance," she added.
In the last general election in 2008, the BN candidate Chong Mun Wah lost to DAP's Chen Fook Chye by a 4,435-vote majority.
-- BERNAMA
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