It was 11am in the tiny hamlet of Ijok and a stream of people are pouring into the office of their newly elected state representative, bringing with them a barrage of complaints and requests.

The setting was like that of a classroom, with K Parthiban seated in the front and his constituents waiting silently and patiently for their names to be called.

The scene was reflective of the enormous signboard hanging outside the office of the former schoolteacher-turned-politician, which reads 'Cikgu K Parthiban's community service centre.'

When malaysiakini paid a visit recently, his former colleagues were also present in the office, helping out as volunteers before heading off to teach in the nearby schools for the afternoon session.

Despite being a political debutant, the 38-year-old bachelor appeared to be well-versed with his work.

There was a mother with her 21-year-old daughter seeking financial help. She claimed her daughter could no longer work due to a leg injury.

After inspecting the injury, Parthiban said that it was minor and that she could still work. However, he promised to refer the matter to the Welfare Department.

"It's up to them to interview you and decide whether you are eligible for financial assistance," he added.

Following this, two young men asked the state assemblyperson to sponsor about 40 football jerseys for their team.

When they asked if Parthiban could also throw in a few footballs in the package, the latter flashed a huge smile and quipped: "The 40 jerseys are enough, you guys still ask for footballs?"

Challenging work

The Parthiban today is vastly different from the jittery Barisan Nasional candidate who was always two steps behind his mentor MIC president S Samy Vellu during the campaign trail for the Ijok by-election on April 28.

Many remember him for his serious response to a light-hearted question from a reporter on the presence of larger number of flies in Ijok.

Nevertheless, he emerged victorious in the polls after defeating PKR candidate Khalid Ibrahim with an increased majority of 1,850 votes. The opposition cried foul, alleging electoral irregularities.

So after being in office for more than 100 days, what does Parthiban think of his new role and how effectively has he discharged his duty?

"I like challenging work like this and having my time occupied. It's up to others to judge my performance, but I am satisfied with what I have done in this 100 days," he replied.

According to him, his main priority is the youths in the constituency.

"I give priority to youths since I am a young man myself. I have organised many sporting events such as futsal and badminton to keep them occupied. I built badminton courts for them," he said.

These are funded through an annual development fund of RM2 million allocated to each state assemblyperson in Selangor, he explained.

In addition to that, the government projects worth hundreds of millions pledged during the run-up of the by-election are being carried out in certain places.

The road from Pekan Ijok leading to Batang Berjuntai is being expanded while another new road is being constructed near Bukit Badong.

Parthiban estimated that about 10 percent of works yet to be completed but is confident that all the election promises will be kept.

Face-to-face

The locals are also happy with the performance of their new state assembly person.

Mary Arumugam ( photo, right ), a 45-year-old homemaker from Tuan Mee estate and the mother of the girl seeking financial assistance for her leg injury, was pleased with Parthiban.

"It's our first time seeing him and he has said he will arrange (the meeting with the welfare department) for my daughter. I am very happy," she said.

Another local resident met at the office praised Parthiban for his willingness to meet the people.

"Whether he can do his work or not doesn't matter. What matters is that he is willing to talk to poor people. It's good that we can meet the YB face-to-face," said Public Works Department (PWD) worker R Savuntharaj, 47.

An opposition supporter, who wished to be identified only as Fuziah, acknowledged that the BN candidate has brought development to the town but is not overly impressed by this.

"Of course we are happy when new roads are built, but this is taxpayers' money after all. We saw him attend a funeral once and that's it," said the 59-year-old homemaker from Kampung Ijok, the only polling district in which the opposition won.

'Like my father'

Malaysiakini also bumped into a primary school pupil outside a Tamil school and decided to put Parthiban's popularity to test.

Asked if he knew who Parthiban was, the boy replied: "Yes, he came to build our playground [...] he came in a car and asked us to clean the drain in front of our house."

However, this newfound stardom appears to be affecting the state representative's love life.

Asked if he has found that 'special person', Parthiban laughed and replied "No, there is no privacy now, it is even difficult for me to ask any girl out for tea."

The fledgling politician is also the blue-eyed boy of Selangor Menteri Besar Dr Mohd Khir Toyo and the MIC president.

"I can always meet with the menteri besar but this is not so for the others although they are wakil rakyat as well," he said, beaming with pride.

"As for Datuk Seri Samy Vellu, he calls me every week and always asks me how I'm doing. He manja-manja sikit (is a little loving) with me. He always hugs me whenever he sees me and this reminds me very much of my late father," he added.

Tomorrow: Ijok - preparing for yet another election

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