MELAKA - Pakatan Harapan (PH) is seeking to win the support of about 40,000 Indian voters in the 16th Melaka state election through pledges to strengthen welfare assistance, expand business opportunities and improve access to affordable housing.
Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy secretary-general G. Sivamalar said PH’s manifesto, which outlines 12 aspirations under its ‘Melaka Rumah Kita’ agenda, addresses the needs of the state’s multiracial population, including the Indian community.
She said the interests of the Indian community must remain a priority in the state’s development and that its members should not be viewed merely as a voting bloc during elections, but should benefit from development on an equitable basis.
"This Melaka state election is not merely about deciding who will govern the state for the next five years, but also about determining the direction of development, the people’s well-being and the future of Melaka’s multiracial society.
"As PH’s Indian leadership team, we stand united in our voice, commitment and goal of ensuring that the voices and interests of the Indian community continue to be given due attention in the state’s development agenda,” she told a press conference at PH’s main operations room in Bukit Baru here today.
Meanwhile, PKR Wanita secretary J. Sangetha said the manifesto also offers financial assistance for small businesses, home ownership and rental schemes, special grants for women entrepreneurs, and more government-run childcare centres to help working mothers.
She said welfare assistance was another priority, as some people were still unfamiliar with the procedures for applying for state government aid, while access to financial support to expand their businesses remained limited.
"Of the 12 aspirations, the most important is the people’s welfare because assistance from the state government is very limited, and even when aid is available, people do not know how to apply for it,” she said.
She added that implementing the manifesto's proposals to ease the financial burden on families, particularly in meeting daily expenses, could help strengthen voter confidence in the coalition's pledges.
PH is fielding two Indian candidates in the election, namely P. Denesh in the Asahan state constituency and Jegasilan K in Gadek.
Polling is on Nov 14, with early voting set for Nov 10. - BERNAMA