PKR veep confident of some big Perak wins, better returns in rural areas

GE15 | Incumbent Tanjong Malim MP Chang Lih Kang is in a buoyant mood as polling day approaches, feeling confident of some big wins for Pakatan Harapan and expecting a better performance in rural Malay areas.

Firstly he thinks that the Tambun showdown between PKR president Anwar Ibrahim and former Perak menteri besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu will not be a close affair.

"I think Anwar will win handsomely in Tambun," Chang told Malaysiakini.

The PKR vice-president feels that his coalition has made the right decision in making Perak a frontline state, especially since it twice helmed the state government in 2008 and 2018 only to be felled both times by defections.

"It's definitely a realistic strategy because Perak has been a swing state since 2008. By fielding heavyweights in several significant seats, we expect it could boost our chances of recapturing the Perak state government.

"I think Harapan did pretty well in presenting new faces and fresh ideas to voters. For instance, out of 21 state assembly candidates in Perak, 17 are new faces. PKR and DAP have gone through party elections and elected new leadership," he said.

Chang is aware of the dynamics in the state that indicate that while Harapan has support in Ipoh and other urban non-Malay areas, there are rural Malay constituencies where it may remain behind both BN and Perikatan Nasional (PN).

Bread-and-butter issues

However, he feels that voters will choose the government most likely to deliver on bread-and-butter issues.

"I think the key issue is the economy. People want a government who can do better in helping them to put food on the table.

“I think Harapan will do better than 2018 in the rural Malay heartland, but I am still unsure about Borneo's situation.

"Besides, I think people are happy with our (PKR's) idea of mandatory asset declaration by all candidates," he said.

In 2018, Chang made history in Tanjong Malim by defeating BN's Mah Hang Soon by 5,358 votes.

It was the first time since independence that MCA had failed to win the seat and the PKR man is looking forward to defending the seat against Mah and four other candidates.

"Judging from ground responses so far, I think I could retain Tanjong Malim," he said.

Peja thought 'Vietnam colonised Tambun', turns out to be Harapan flags

Hulu Kinta rep denies colluding with developer over farmers’ eviction

Fifth time's the charm? Bidor Orang Asli get another water-supply project

Perak PN unveils goodies-laden manifesto, funds for weddings included