BIDOR - As the Ayer Kuning by-election approaches this Saturday, local residents, particularly from the Indian community, are voicing their aspirations for the constituency’s future.
For many, the election represents a hope for long-overdue attention to their pressing concerns, including better access to quality education, job opportunities for graduates and the creation of programs that foster racial harmony.
These issues, they said, were critical to improving their livelihoods and ensuring a more inclusive future for the multi-ethnic community in Ayer Kuning.
Vijayaletchumi, 59, a school gardener and mother of five university graduates, expressed concerns over the lack of job opportunities despite her children excelling at top public universities.
"The only thing we are asking for is good education and guaranteed jobs after graduation.
"Two of my kids studied hard and succeeded academically, but they are still seeking employment.
"I hope the elected representative can help the Indian community in this regard, especially by creating pathways to jobs in the government sector," she said when met at a press conference here yesterday.
She also emphasised the need for elderly care facilities that double as centers for light employment.
"A special care centre for the elderly would make a big difference. Somewhere they can work on simple tasks like packing or cooking. Right now, many older folks are left in hospitals without proper care," she added.
Meanwhile, Kaliayasamy, 46, a school cleaner, highlighted the need for equality and racial harmony.
She urged for fair treatment of all races, emphasising that future generations should not face racial issues.
According to her, the elected representative should focus on creating programs that promote unity and strengthen harmony among all communities.
"We urge our race to be treated as fairly as others. There should be no room for racial issues in the upcoming generations.
"The elected representative must prioritise creating programmes that enhance unity and harmony among all races," she added.
Commenting further, local resident Anbalagan Perumal, 55, pointed out the challenges faced by young job seekers in the constituency, particularly the need to travel long distances to find employment.
"Youths here have to travel nearly 50 kilometres to places like Ipoh or Proton City in Tanjung Malim for work.
"We hope the elected representative will focus on generating more local job opportunities, so our youth don’t have to leave their families behind for employment," he said.