By-election: Orang Asli hopes for change in Bertam Valley

Roskoske Bah Taik (left) and Lee Ooi.

CAMERON HIGHLANDS: Roskoske Bah Taik, 46, hopes his vote will be able to help bring development to his village.

The Orang Asli from Tapah, Perak, was referring to Sungai Kabok, which is 3km from Bertam Valley where he will cast his vote today.

Roskoske said: “The last two times I voted for the candidate from MIC. They promised us development. But when they won, they told us that they could not do anything for us.

“The government has changed. I’m still unsure of who is a more promising candidate, but I hope this time whoever becomes the next MP of Cameron Highlands, he will be able to come and look at our village, to help the people.”

Currently working in a farm while only doing several part-time jobs, Roskoske said the Orang Asli could only afford to work for farm owners.

“We want our own land, which has been taken up by the farmers,” he said.

Meanwhile, 93-year-old Lee Ooi said: “I only want a simple and sufficient meal each day. I have diligently cast my vote all these years. Now I don’t mind so much for myself. But today I’m out here for my children. To vote for them to have better days ahead.”

Tung Kam Lin, 70, who returned from Kuala Lumpur last night, came as early as 7.30am to cast her vote.

“I came early to vote because I am rushing to go home after this,” said Tung who voted at the polling centre at SJK(C) Bertam Valley.

Meanwhile, independent candidate Wong Seng See, who was present at the polling centre, said: “Whether I win or lose, I feel that I have done my best. Although I did not manage to campaign much in Jelai, my message reached the people there. I am thankful for that.

“If I lose, I will find a way to convey the people’s needs to the new parliamentarian.”

After 14 days of campaigning, a total of 31,639 voters in the Cameron Highlands parliamentary constituency will exercise their right to choose a new MP.

In the by-election, voters will have to choose between M Manogaran of Pakatan Harapan, Ramli Mohd Nor of Barisan Nasional (BN) and two independent candidates – Wong Seng Yee and Sallehudin Ab Talib. - FMT