SG BESAR POLLS The BN candidate for the Sungai Besar parliamentary by-election, Budiman Mohd Zohdi, will focus on improving access to education and the economic status of the people if he is elected.

Budiman said the two factors could serve as catalysts in the development of the constituency with its spectacular lush green padi fields and village life that are so appealing to local and foreign tourists.

"We in Sungai Besar do not require a huge shopping mall, we do not want to change the landscape, let the atmosphere of the village be maintained.

"But we do want the people to have wide knowledge, to be able at the same to think and generate income from existing resources," he told Bernama.

For example, Budiman said, crops such as cassava and coconut could be value-added as commercial products and marketed domestically and abroad.

He pledged to take the requisite steps to ensure the development of education infrastructure in Sungai Besar, if BN is given the mandate by the people.

He also promised to mediate between the government and the people in resolving problems in the parliamentary constituency.

"I was born here, went to school here, even my placenta is buried here, therefore I am able to comprehend the pulse of the people here," he said.

Currently Sg Panjang assemblyperson

Budiman, 44, who is also Sungai Panjang assemblyperson, said the voters could evaluate his efforts in resolving problems related to the constituency during the three years of being the people's representative.

"Politics is about serving and Alhamdulillah the people, including the Chinese and Indians, have given a positive feedback on my performance.

"So the people have a choice whether to choose someone who already has a track record or elect outsiders who come in as parachute candidates," he said, expressing confidence that BN would win handsomely in the by-election.

In fact, Budiman said, the Sungai Besar Umno division is unified and fully prepared to ensure BN's victory on polling day, on June 18.

Meanwhile, he dismissed rumours that Umno divisional leaders were unhappy with his selection as the BN candidate.

"If I was not singled out by the grassroots leadership, how could I have been nominated? This is not about personal success, but more importantly, the success of BN to wrest back Selangor state from Pakatan Harapan," he said.

The Sungai Besar parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of Noriah Kasnon, who was plantation industries and commodities deputy minister, in a helicopter crash in Sebuyau, Sarawak, on May 5.

- Bernama