Newly-minted MP's priority to upgrade Sekinchan public market

Meet Budiman Mohd Zohdi. The word, procrastination, does not exist in his dictionary.

After his thumping victory was announced late last night, the newly-minted Sungai Besar member of parliament wasted no time in oiling his machinery to work on his first task.

To fulfill one of his promises, Budiman visited the Sekinchan Public Market early today, giving an assurance that his priority was to upgrade the market for the comfort of traders, and attract more visitors in the future.

He said the move was in line with the mandate given by the people in the by-election yesterday, to continue fighting for their rights and demands.

According to Budiman, a survey of the public market shows as if the DAP elected representative for Sekinchan did not care about the old and dilapidated condition of the market's facilities.

"I am very sympathetic to the situation of the public market, where during the three terms under the auspices of the DAP, the drains are poorly maintained, floors not washed, and even the lighting looks gloomy.

"The market is very important to the locals, because it is also a place for the people from around Tanjong Karang to buy their daily items," he told reporters here today.

Budiman said although Sekinchan was known as a DAP stronghold, efforts to upgrade and refurbish the public market there was not related to political affiliation, and he was doing it out of his obligation as the MP of the constituency.

Thus, he said, he would try hard to get the budget from the federal government to keep his promise although it would have to go through several procedures first.

Meanwhile, commenting on the increase in Chinese support for him, Budiman smiled and said it was a clear message that they were smart to choose a moderate leader, who understood local issues in depth.

"To me, the Chinese must also be approached, but we have to be smart and use the appropriate methods, but I treat all people regardless of race, equally.

"I accept the support from them (the Chinese) with an open heart, and I will strive to give the best possible service," he added.

In the Sungai Besar parliamentary by-election yesterday, Budiman as the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate garnered 16,800 votes, beating Parti Amanah Negara candidate Azhar Abdul Shukur (7,609 votes) and PAS' Dr Abdul Rani Osman (6,902 votes).