RACE and the economy still top the list of concerns of Felda voters ahead of the Cameron Highlands by-election.
Locals interviewed by The Malaysian Insight cited race issues, such as the rallyagainst the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) and the riots at the Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple in Subang Jaya, Selangor.
Khairul Mohd, who runs the only pizza parlour in Felda Koyan 2, said both incidents caused him concern.
“The recent events with ICERD and temple issue in Selangor worried me,” said Khairul, 50, who returned to Felda Koyan 2 two months ago.
“And I think it’s clear that the local residents will not vote for a non-Malay candidate.”
This, he said, was relayed to Pahang Menteri Besar Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail through the settlers’ WhatsApp group.
Wan Rosdy, who is from nearby Kuala Medang, is the Jelai assemblyman.
Khairul said that could be why Barisan Nasional decided to field Orang Asli Ramli Mohd Nor instead of a candidate from MIC.
Khairul, a second-generation Felda settler, said BN is strong in Koyan and the race argument alone will make it hard for Pakatan Harapan’s M. Manogaran.
For Kama Noorizzat Che Ibrahim, who helps his wife sell coconut drinks at the intersection of Jalan Tersang-Sg Koyan, the economy is the most important factor.
“The price of chicken here is very high at RM9 per kg compared to Kelantan which averages around RM6 per kg,” said the Felda worker, who comes from Gua Musang.
“The lowest price in recent months was RM8.80 per kg,” said the father of three schoolchildren.
Kama said he’s not too concerned about political parties but the new government must ensure rural folk do not suffer.
He added that although the government has reduced the price of petrol recently with the weekly float, food prices have not come down.
“If there is another general election tomorrow, Pakatan will surely lose,” said Kama.
Another sore point for the 37-year-old is the price of oil palm.
“Although I don’t have any plantation, my mother-in-law sometimes has to pay more than she receives when the price of oil palm is RM400 per tonne,” said Kama, who earns around RM20 extra a day from selling coconut water.
Abdul Aziz Ahmad, however, felt PH should be given more time to repair the country.
“Dr Mahathir Mohamad has said that he wants to remove corruption and bring back fairness. So, let’s see him do it and judge how Pakatan has performed in the manifesto promises in two to three years,” said the 83-year-old former soldier.
“Some of today’s problems were caused by Najib (former prime minister Najib Razak) and it’s unfair to blame everything on Pakatan,” said Aziz.
The former logger turned ustaz, who came with his father from Aceh, said it also wrong to link racial and religious issues to politics.
“Votes should not be linked to race and religion as it’s just politics and parties change all the time. It’s laws that are important.”
The veteran, who came to Koyan 3 in 1977, said he fought the Japanese and later, the communists.
“They initially fought against the Japanese but were forced into the jungle to become communists after the British returned,” said Aziz in Cantonese of the communists who were mainly Chinese.
There are three Felda settlements in Sg Koyan. While the first consists of Pahang residents, the other two are made up of retired servicemen.
Back at the roadside stall in Koyan 2, it’s noon on a Sunday and Khairul has yet to receive a single pizza order.
“This is the state of economy here now where people are not spending although it is the weekend,” said the retired manager.
– https://www.themalaysianinsight.com
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