JELEBU: The Orang Asli in the Chennah state seat want their next assemblyman to understand their struggles and make regular visits to the constituency.
For the residents of Kampung Tohor, the elected representative must be able to address long-standing issues involving housing, income opportunities, education, roads, and customary land.
Ibas Sar, 43, said a candidate’s race was not a deciding factor when residents cast their votes.
“We don’t choose based on race. Malay, Chinese or Indian, it doesn’t matter. We look at who understands the village community and can help,” he told FMT.
Sarip Angkung, 56, said the residents would judge their representative based on performance and actions over the five-year term.
“If the five years go badly, the people can decide again. What matters is we want someone who can help the community,” he said.
Besides housing assistance, Sarip hoped the assemblyman would create more opportunities to improve the residents’ incomes, while paying attention to village development, road conditions, and customary land issues.
John Osman, 45, wants education for Orang Asli children prioritised to help improve the lives of their family members.
“We want our children to go to school because education can change a family’s life for the better,” he said.
Another resident, Mariam Som, 50, said the Orang Asli community needs a representative who stays close to the residents and understands their challenges.
Kampung Tohor is located in the Chennah seat, where three-term incumbent Loke Siew Fook of Pakatan Harapan is being challenged by Barisan Nasional’s Siow Kong Choon.
Loke retained the seat in the last state election with a majority of 2,200 votes.
