Ijok: Parthiban goes all out at last lap of race

Just like the last lap of a race, Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Ijok state seat, K.R. Parthiban, has shifted into top gear and going all out to woo voters in the constituency, with just two days to go before polling on Sunday.

Parthiban, a former teacher, who is banking on his "personal touch" approach as his campaign strategy, is wasting no time and taking no chances in attracting the 19,000-odd voters.

"The next few days are crucial. I am going the extra mile now. I have to finish strong and leave no stone unturned. With only two days to go, I have to move faster and work harder to meet as many people as I can," Parthiban told Bernama when met during his campaign trail at Bandar Desa Coalfields, here.

The 43-year-old Selangor MIC secretary has met almost 75 per cent of his voters face to face during his walkabout at places like Bestari Jaya, Kampung Sungai Darah, Bukit Badong, Kampung Seri Aman and Bandar Desa Coalfields.

He said the Indian community's support for the BN had significantly increased as he has been visiting the plantations in Ijok and helping with their problems consistently since 2008.

"I am willing to go the extra mile to ensure the ruling BN recaptures the Ijok seat. I expect the next two days to move at break-neck speed. I need to meet as many people as I can and talk to them," he added.

Located in the booming Kuala Selangor district, Ijok would gain from the development push in the next five years, he said, and if elected as assemblyman, he promised that locals would benefit from it.

Asked what would be his first task if elected as assemblyman, Parthiban said he would try to resolve land title issues in Bandar Desa Coalfields which is the key concern of voters there.

"So far only 62 out of 179 families residing in Bandar Desa Coalfields received the land approval letter (surat kelulusan tanah)," he added.

Parthiban said that Ijok was currently home to several factories, including those churning out rubber gloves.

He said he would ensure that more than 60 per cent local workers would be engaged in several industries in Ijok.

In the 13th general election on Sunday, Parthiban will take on Idris Ahmad from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) in a straight fight.

Parthiban won the Ijok by-election in 2007 by a majority of 1,850 votes to beat Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, from the PKR.

In the 2008 general election, Abdul Khalid beat BN candidate Datuk Mohamad Sayuti of Umno by a 1,920-vote majority.

Ijok has about 19,000 voters of whom 49 per cent are Malays, 35 per cent Indians, 16 per cent Chinese and other races.