No empty promises: PSM assures Ayer Kuning win will see continued effort

Summary

• PSM's Ayer Kuning candidate asserts that she is not touting empty promises to secure votes.

• Bawani KS says the party has always pushed for the rakyat's betterment and will continue to do so.

• Party's track record in Ayer Kuning is proof that PSM can and will do what needs to be done, she adds.

AYER KUNING POLLS | PSM's candidate for the Ayer Kuning by-election has assured that promises made during the campaign will not be left unfulfilled if a win is secured for the Perak state seat.

Bawani KS highlighted that the party has consistently pushed for the rakyat's betterment through various means, including pressuring authorities said to be adopting a lackadaisical attitude.

Such endeavours, she told Malaysiakini, will be undeniably continued if PSM is granted a chance to represent voters at the state assembly level.

"PSM is not in the government, but we're the ones that fought for bettered minimum wages and the employment insurance scheme," she said when met at PSM's operations room in Ayer Kuning, Tapah.

"Now, we're trying to get the government to introduce a pension scheme for senior citizens.

"Even when we're not in power, we're pushing the government (to do better). If we're in power, of course, we will advance the people's issues," Bawani added.

The 39-year-old pointed out that PSM has already managed to establish a positive track record among communities within certain Ayer Kuning localities by aiding workers there to exercise their rights and avoid oppression.

"We've done work with farmers, lorry drivers as well as cleaners in government schools and hospitals.

"Voters can look at our track record and see that we've helped a lot of cases (in Ayer Kuning)... we're in politics to help the people, not make money," the PSM's deputy secretary-general added.

The by-election marks Bawani's third foray into electoral politics. She previously contested for the Malim Nawar state seat during the 2018 general election, securing 213 votes against opponents from Pakatan Harapan and BN.

She was also part of the five-cornered battle for the Ayer Kuning state constituency in the following general election, during which she garnered 586 votes and lost her deposit.

The seat remained under BN's long-held control with former Tapah Umno division chief Ishsam Shahruddin's win with 9,088 votes.

The 59-year-old's death on Feb 22 caused the seat to be declared vacant, triggering the polls.

Need for third force

Commenting on why PSM had opted to try for the Ayer Kuning seat again, Bawani said dissatisfaction among the people towards the government and opposition warrants the need for a "third force".

"People are feeling tired and angry with what's happening in the country, especially with a rise in race-based issues and the unfulfilled promises by Harapan.

"This is not a normal by-election - it's a referendum from the rakyat to give a warning to the government for them to do their work.

"Otherwise, the people will 'kasi ajar' (teach them a lesson)."

When asked how PSM intends to go against BN and Perikatan Nasional's better-funded election machinery, Bawani said that while the party might not be able to compete financially, it holds its own in terms of support from sponsors and volunteers.

Bawani will be going against Tapah PN chief Abdul Muhaimin Malek and Tapah Umno secretary Yusri Bakir.

Youth support

She added that compared to the previous election, the party has received increased support from voters, potentially due to the influence of social media among the younger generation.

"The current generation needs to break (the trend of) focusing on racial elements rather than tackling more important issues.

"Regardless of race, people are struggling with issues such as high costs of living, insufficient wages, land eviction matters, food security and exploitation at the workplace," she said.

Ayer Kuning has 31,897 registered voters, consisting of 31,315 ordinary voters and 582 police personnel and their spouses.

Voters will head to the ballot boxes on April 26, with early voting scheduled to take place on April 22.

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