Makeshift stalls show PH failed to address people’s woes, says Umno

An Indian housewife in Bandar Ekar Rantau selling snacks and drinks at a stall on her porch.

RANTAU: Umno is blaming Putrajaya over bread-and-butter issues as the Rantau by-election campaign shifts into higher gear, with one of its youth leaders saying the 10-month Pakatan Harapan (PH) rule has made life more difficult for people here.

Umno Youth vice-chief Shahril Hamdan said PH had failed to tackle cost of living issues in Rantau, citing as examples residents who have been forced to set up food stalls outside their homes to make ends meet.

“I think there’s a sense of disappointment and disillusionment over how much more difficult it is now for people, in the short span of 10 months,” he said during a campaign walkabout in Bandar Ekar Rantau here.

“We see this in everyone’s everyday life like around Bandar Ekar Rantau.”

Food stalls are a normal sight in residential neighbourhoods in Bandar Ekar Rantau, a township about 30 minutes away from Seremban.

Two residents who sell food items outside their houses told FMT that they had been slapped with warning letters from the authorities for operating their stalls illegally, but said they had no choice.

“I think this is a sad reality of how difficult life is for everyone, where slowly but surely it will be the case for all Malaysians,” Shahril said.

Shahril Hamdan during a walkabout in Bandar Ekar Rantau.

It was earlier reported that grocers and food sellers are feeling the pinch due to the change in the tax system for produce as well as a hike in the price of goods like vegetables.

Shahril said Barisan Nasional’s candidate Mohamad Hasan should be elected to keep the state government in check.

“We need more voices to speak up about the economy and Tok Mat can do this,” he said.

He disagrees with the view that Mohamad would not be able to contribute as the former menteri besar no longer has access to the state’s resources.

“Opposition leaders can exert influence and pressure, which can result in policy change,” he added.

He cited as example how PH brought back the RM100 cash aid for the poor, saying it was due to pressure from the opposition.

PKR vice-president Tian Chua had earlier said that Mohamad was contesting in Rantau to remain relevant in his political career.

But Shahril said the Umno acting president was relevant because of his popularity among the Rantau electorate.

"They (voters) are also disappointed with PH. They want to cast their votes for Tok Mat as a protest vote against the PH candidate, and also because he is someone that has done good things for them.”

Mohamad is facing PH’s Dr Streram Sinnasamy as well as independents Malar Rajaram and Mohd Nor Yassin. - FMT