Change is in the air in Sungai Besar, aside from the lingering smell of salted fish drying in the hot afternoon sun.

Any way the political wind blows seems to matter little to constituents of the coastal town in Sabak Bernam, Selangor, as many found themselves being increasingly preoccupied with trying to make ends meet.

If not out at sea, many make their living from agriculture activities.

Malaysiakini’s visit to the area found that many voters are feeling the impact of rising costs after implementation of the goods and services tax (GST).

Lee Auu Moi, 71, is a local farmer from Sekinchan, one of the two state seats under Sungai Besar.

“Our life as a farmer is very hard. Our produce is getting less but the rent keeps going up.

“Fertiliser is now so expensive. The cost of farming is very high,” she said.

Lee, as such, said that she would hope for a leader who can address the problems faced by farmers.

“Whoever can take care of us, we will support,” she added.

It is estimated that there is about 4,300 acres of farming land across Sekinchan, situated in the middle of Selangor’s rice bowl.

Sungai Besar’s estimated 30 percent Chinese population - including ethnic Teochew and Hakka - are mostly living around Sekinchan.

Lau Kwai San, 48, is another local farmer.

Lau said he would support a leader who can help the people, in particular to abolish the GST.

“I don’t think we have any major problems except that the GST is making our lives a little bit difficult.

“Sekinchan is a small town but the prices of everything has gone up and our lives are now more difficult,” he said.

Lee also said he’s undecided as to which party or candidate to vote for come polling day.

“I don’t know. I will have to see,” he said.

The Sungai Besar parliament seat was created in 2003 following an Election Commission redelineation exercise.

Its current estimated population stands at around 23,000 but there were 42,837 registered voters as of the 13th general elections.

The sudden death of Sungai Besar MP Noriah Kasnon has triggered the upcoming June 18 by-election.

The late Noriah has defended the seat for three-terms from 2004 to 2013.

In favour of PAS

The other state seat under Sungai Besar is Sungai Panjang with over 70 percent of its Malay constituents from Banjar, Jawa and Kampar ethnic backgrounds.

Many of them are living in fishing villages along the coastline.

Aisyah Mohamad, 57, (right, with spectacles) said the new elected representative must be someone who can understand their hardship.

“Many of us in the fishing villages are still living hand to mouth.

“With the rising cost, some had to sacrifice children’s education,” she said.

In Sungai Besar, Noriah has always been rivalled by a candidate from PAS.

While noting that PAS had parted ways with the federal Pakatan Harapan opposition pact, Aisyah said she personally wants the Islamist party to continue contesting the seat.

“We want PAS to contest. In the last polls, Umno only won with a slim majority,” she noted.

Easily accessible rep needed

Mastur Mohamad Tohid, 42, meanwhile said that the locals are looking for an elected representative who is easily accessible.

“We want a people friendly leader, who we can find easily,” he said.

Like the others, Mastur said his main complaint would be on the rising cost of living.

“The people are feeling the pinch,” he stressed.

Majid Mohd Yusof, 42, also said it would be best if the candidate is someone who comes from the area.

“We have informed from the very beginning that we want a local candidate,” said Majid when met after a function with Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali.

“In terms of problems, so far we have enjoyed equal treatment in terms of developments by the federal government.

“On the other hand, there were some land issues, but we met with the MB (Azmin) who said it can be settled before this election,” he said.

It appears that the nature of their daily lives is often dependent on uncontrollable forces of nature - like the recent drought that dried up their padi fields, followed by a wave of stormy seasons.

In looking forward to a change, the voters are also hoping for stability.

The Sungai Besar seat, as well as Kuala Kangsar in Perak, fell vacant after the deaths of incumbents Noriah and Wan Khairil Anwar Wan Ahmad in the recent Sarawak helicopter tragedy.