Melaka election: Rais wants to resolve flood problems in Paya Rumput

MELAKA: The flood problem in several areas in the state constituency of Paya Rumput would be among the focus of Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate, Datuk Rais Yasin if he is selected as its assemblyman.

Rais said this is the biggest issue apart from internet access which he would try to resolve if he is given the mandate in the Melaka state election on Nov 20.

"There were no floods even in a year before but now after two hours of rain areas in Cheng, Tanjung Minyak are flooded and the worst hit is Kampung Krubung," he said when met here today.

Rais said he fully understands the problems faced by the community in the affected areas as he is also a Paya Rumput boy.

Meanwhile, he said the standard operating procedure (SOP) set for Melaka election has made it difficult for candidates to campaign and hoped there would be relaxation or improvements in the future.

Rais said in Paya Rumput almost 30 per cent of the senior citizens are not familiar with online matters and this has made his campaign to reach the group almost impossible.

"It is true that we are encouraged to campaign online but how are we going to reach such groups (who have difficulties and have no internet access). So candidates have to be creative (in the campaign)," he said.

Rais is facing Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin (Pakatan Harapan), Muhammad Faris Izwan Mazlan (Perikatan Nasional), Mohamad Hashidi Mohd Zain (Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia) and Mohd Jaini Dimon (Independent) in a five-cornered fight for the seat.

The Election Commission (EC) has set the polling day for the Melaka election on Nov 20 while nomination day was on Nov 8 and early voting on Nov 16 following the dissolution of the State Assembly on Oct 4 after four assemblymen withdrew their support for Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali.

-- BERNAMA