Harapan fields 'white flag' campaign initiator in Pengkalan Chepa

Pakatan Harapan is fielding a candidate who started the ‘white flag’ campaign during the height of the movement control order (MCO) due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the lockdown period, many Malaysians who lost their livelihoods raised white flags outside their homes so their neighbours could assist with immediate needs like food and household supplies.

The idea was sparked by Nik Faizah Nik Othman, 48, who is no stranger in the NGO circles and who will contest in the Pengkalan Chepa parliamentary seat in the upcoming 15th general election (GE15).

Her participation this time will be her second electoral attempt after her first try at the Kelaboran state seat under the Amanah ticket in the previous 2018 general election.

Leaving the world of education as a teacher at SK Dato Hashim 1, Pengkalan Chepa back in 2002, Nik Faizah (above) said she dabbled in community service before making the plunge into politics.

“The mainstay of my participation in politics is serving the people in an effort to solve the social, economic and governance issues of the country.

“So, I am always ready to take up the challenge when invited to stand in the Pengkalan Chepa parliamentary seat.

“Even though I have only moved here from Tumpat for a few years, my husband and I have been running a business in Pengkalan Chepa for a long time, besides having taught here before,” she said when met by Malaysiakini in Kota Bharu yesterday.

Pengkalan Chepa is a PAS stronghold currently held by Ahmad Marzuk Shaary.

More development

Meanwhile, Nik Faizah, who is also the Kelantan Amanah women’s wing deputy chief, said one of her missions is to see the area develop more in accordance with its status as Kelantan’s main industrial area.

Despite being an industrial area, Pengkalan Chepa still does not have comprehensive broadband coverage, especially in the rural areas, she said.

“There are many villages in the Pengkalan Chepa area which we find are still experiencing internet coverage problems, even though it has been long known as an industrial area.

“From my survey, I found many students lagged behind in their studies during the Covid-19 pandemic as they were unable to follow the online learning due to internet coverage issues,” said Nik Faizah, who is fondly known as Kak Jah.

Apart from that, she also hopes that voters will act more maturely and get accurate information before casting their ballots in GE15, which will take place on Nov 19.

“I hope the voters, especially the youth, will come home and vote en masse.

“This matter of electing leaders is very important because it will shape their future and I am confident the youth is closely following the developments and receiving accurate information, especially on social media,” she said.

As for the ‘white flag’ campaign she spearheaded previously, Nik Faizah said she was just trying to think how to help the people affected by the MCO.

She said the campaign was only aimed at raising awareness among the community to let them know that there are those among them in need of immediate help.

“Alhamdullilah, the white flag campaign was well received and benefited the rakyat in need during that difficult situation,” she said.

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