TG PIAI POLLS | The rising cost of living, lack of infrastructure and damaged roads are among the main concerns raised by residents in the Tanjung Piai parliamentary constituency.

The locals hope that the gov't will give these matters due attention as these issues are closely linked to their daily lives and activities.

A resident, Asiah Mudek, 57, from Pemok, said since the cost of living has increased, she had to dabble in the production of banana chips, cakes and frozen food such as curry puffs to supplement her income.

“We hope the relevant parties will help market the products from the small-medium enterprises as these people, often from the lower-income households, do not know how to market their products,” she said when met by Bernama in Teluk Kerang, near here, recently.

Meanwhile, herbal trader and housewife Zarina Hassim said the by-election candidate to be given the mandate at the Tanjung Piai constituency should help women generate their own income.

“We can’t just depend on our husband’s income alone. Do consider providing assistance to small businesses so that women can be independent financially,” said the 44-year-old from Kampung Parit Buntu, Teluk Kerang.

Besides, she said, access to the internet was also crucial to help market their products online as marketing cost would be a lot cheaper.

Meanwhile, farmer Hasri Salim raised his concerns about the roads in his village that are often damaged as they were constructed over peat soil.

He said the damaged roads cause frequent accidents involving motorcyclists and cars, and often made worse by overloaded lorries plying the same stretches.

This problem was also acknowledged by the Pekan Nenas assemblyperson Yeo Tung Siong, who said the 10-km Jalan Pekan Nenas-Pontian had been repaired several times due to its deteriorating conditions.

Yeo said the Pakatan Harapan government viewed the matter seriously and is working with the Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Research Centre for Soft Soil and the Public Works Department to find a long-term solution.

He said a study of the soil structure is being carried out to address the problems pertaining to the road conditions and is expected to be completed this month.

“For the government, the most important thing is to find solutions to the issues that concern the interests of the local people and are seen as beneficial not only in the short-term but also in the long-term,” he said.

Meanwhile, Harapan candidate in the Tanjung Piai by-election Karmaine Sardini (above, right) said he would prioritise on improving the transport network, including new roads connecting Pekan Nenas and Tanjung Piai and the Sungai Pulai bridge, if he was given the mandate in the by-election.

“I think apart from the five key issues recently highlighted (by Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin,) we have also identified the future of development in Tanjung Piai as the new bridge across the Sungai Pulai will provide the new link from Johor Bahru to Tanjung Piai.

This would give a boost to the tourism industry, on top of the existing sectors including agriculture and fisheries, Karmaine said.

He also expressed his hope that the constituents would put their trust in his ability to continue the struggle of late Dr Md Farid Md Rafik as the people’s representative in the Tanjung Piai parliamentary constituency.

Md Farid, 43, died of heart complications on Sept 21.

In the Tanjung Piai by-election on Nov 16, Karmaine is being challenged by the BN candidate from MCA Wee Jeck Seng, Gerakan's Wendy Subramaniam, Berjasa's Badhrulhisham Abdul Aziz and two independent candidates, Ang Chuan Lock and Faridah Aryani Abd Ghaffar.

- Bernama