Manikumar's issues - crime, poverty and drains

PKR's candidate for the Bukit Selambau by-election S Manikumar is expected to make crime prevention as his main priority if he wins the state constituency on April 7.

He is also expected to look into the poor infrastructure and the rampant poverty in the constituency if he is elected to be the people's representative.

These are among the pledges Manikumar is expected to make in his election manifesto which is due to be launched soon.

According to PKR, these issues are based on PKR's in-depth voters' survey.

The survey findings, as revealed by PKR's elections strategy head Saifuddin Nasution at a press conference this morning, indicated that 25 percent of the voters were concerned about the rising crime rates in the constituency.

Twelve percent of the voters were unhappy by the lack of infrastructure in Bukit Selambau.

"They are troubled by the rampant break-ins, (and) by the Mat Rempits. They are also dissatisfied with the dirty and clogged drains," said Saifuddin.

He added that PKR will work closely with the state government and the police to overcome these issues if Manikumar was elected.

"The people are ready to support PKR because they want a clean government," said Saifuddin.

Asked about the sentiments of the Malay voters, Saifuddin said the highest number of 'hardcore' voters backed PAS, followed by Umno and then PKR.

This, according to Saifuddin, was because PKR is a multi-racial party.

"Therefore, hopefully the support for PAS would translate into votes for us," said Saifuddin adding that they were confident that the Chinese voters would be voting for them.

Referendum on Najib

Another aspect of the survey also indicated that the Bukit Selambau voters were upset with MIC president S Samy Vellu, thus giving hope that Manikumar will do well against MIC's S Ganesan in the by-election.

Similarly, Saifuddin added, the voters felt that the by-election was also a referendum on incoming prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.

"Najib's popularity is down. The support among the Chinese for him is not even 20 percent," said Saifuddin, pointing to the survey.

On the other hand, Saifuddin said that according to the survey, PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim's popularity level stood at 38 percent.

The by-election will pit Manikumar against Ganesan and 13 independents. The by-election was called following V Arumugam's sudden resignation from the seat.