INCUMBENT Ampang MP Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin has expressed her confidence that her 15 years of serving the people in her constituency will give her the edge over other candidates in the forthcoming 15th general election (GE15).
Up against eight other candidates for the Ampang seat, Zuraida acknowledged the battle ahead is tough, but believes her work will speak for itself.
“I know the battle ahead is tough. In fact, it will be my toughest yet. For one, I will be facing eight other challengers, including three independents,” she said in a statement today (Nov 7).
“Secondly, I am contesting under a new party, one that has only recently been established,” she said in a statement today.
She further acknowledged that the electorate has evolved over the years and is now very matured and well-informed.
“Though I have been in Ampang and am well-versed with all the issues here, I do not take anything for granted,” she noted.
“I make sure I take time to survey and identify as many issues as possible which affect the people here.”
The president-designate of Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM), who is fondly known as Ibu Bangsa Malaysia among her supporters, said she has learnt a lot from her voters over the years, noting that they have a special bond.
“There are still local issues like public transport, infrastructure, flooding and welfare (to address),” she pointed out.
“Apart from that, I am also focused on improving the quality of life for the people in Ampang, which includes looking into employment, business opportunities, education and also skills development.
“We are like a family here and that is why I am confident and do not feel that contesting under the PBM logo would have any negative impact.”
Zuraida also said she is happy that she is facing five women candidates in GE15.
“Though they may be my challengers, I am happy that more women have come forward in this GE,” she commented.
“I just hope and pray that everyone, not just here in Ampang, competes in a friendly, clean manner. Though I may be from the older generation here, I believe my track record will speak for itself.”
Her challengers for the Ampang parliamentary seat are Barisan Nasional’s MCA candidate Ivone Low Yi Wen, Perikatan Nasional’s Sasha Lyna Abdul Latif (Bersatu), Warisan’s Bryan Lai Wai Chong, Pejuang’s Dr Nurul Ashikin Mabahwi as the Gerakan Tanah Air candidate, and Pakatan Harapan’s Rodziah Ismail from PKR.
The three independent candidates are entrepreneur M. Raveendran, 38, Muhammad Shafiq Izwan Mohd Yunos, 33, and Tan Hua Meng, 65, who previously contested under Parti Rakyat Malaysia in GE14. – Nov 7, 2022
