Voters' wish list for future leader in Permatang Pauh

The Permatang Pauh district in Seberang Perai here was abuzz with activity as campaign machinery personnel aggressively rev up preparation for the upcoming by-election for the various political parties contenting in the constituency.

Amidst the buzz, the local folks hope for one thing: a people-oriented leader who is able to understand and tackle the issues faced by the people in the constituency.

A villager, Mohd Razali Wahid, 63 defines a good leader as someone who often meets the people and is concerned about their well-being.

“This is what’s happening now, after winning an election, the leader does not meet the people in the constituency. The problems facing the villagers are ignored. No actions are being taken on reports.

A change is what the local folks need, said Mohd Razali adding that a leader should be honest with himself or herself and posses absolute essential quality to assist the local folks.

A trader at the Seberang Jaya Market, Ahmad Shuhaimi Yusof said a fair leader who can address and tackle the issues of local residents is welcomed.

“The prices of goods have increased so for us to run our businesses with the hike in the prices of goods are taxing on us. Imagine, how does one survive with a meagre income of RM600 and RM900?

Ahmad Shuhaimi said, which party the leader belongs to remains a non-issue

“It doesn’t count as long as the individual doesn’t suppress the local folks,” he added.

Trader, Shaharudin Wahab plays the gender card in his choice of the leader in Permatang Pauh.

He said a male leader would be able to aggressively improve the economic status of the people in the constituency.

Shaharudin added that as a country that is rich with natural resources such as rice, oil and gas, the rakyat should be financially-independent and eased from financial burden.

Azhar Ahmad, 46 is singing a different tune.

As a trader, Azhar hopes that the future leader will be able to manage the rental of the market.

“The rental was RM30 and not it has increased to RM60. We want a leader who can reduce the high cost of living,” he said.

The Permatang Pauh by-election on May 7 will see a four-cornered fight between Suhaimi Sabudin (Barisan Nasional), Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PKR), Azman Shah Othman (Parti Rakyat Malaysia) and Salleh Isahak (Independent).

It is being held following the Pardons Board's rejection of the petition for a royal pardon made by the incumbent MP Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim through his family, resulting in him being disqualified as as elected representative.

Anwar is currently serving a five-year jail sentence for his sodomy conviction.