JOHOR BAHRU - Long-standing traffic congestion and security concerns in residential areas have emerged as the top issues affecting voters in Tiram, according to Bersama candidate Dr Harith Fakhrudin Abdul Malek.
After spending several days on the ground meeting residents, Harith said the same complaints were repeatedly raised by constituents.
“From my conversations with the people, I can make a general conclusion that the biggest issues here are traffic and security near residential areas.
“These are problems that have been going on for over 20 years and the people cannot see any signs of resolution," he told Sinar Daily.
He acknowledged that as an opposition candidate from a new political party, he could not make unrealistic promises.
“We have to be realistic because we are not competing to become the government. But I can promise that I will continuously raise these issues and fight for solutions," he said.
Harith said residents have become increasingly frustrated with years of unresolved congestion, particularly in rapidly developing areas of Tiram where population growth has outpaced infrastructure improvements.
He also noted that security concerns in neighbourhoods have become a major source of anxiety among residents.
“People just want to feel safe where they live and they want to see practical solutions to everyday problems,” he said.
Harith is among 15 candidates fielded by Bersama, a newly established political party led by former PKR vice-president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and former National Resources minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
Despite being a political newcomer, Harith said he hopes his willingness to listen and engage directly with residents will help him better represent their concerns.