Issues affecting Indians in KKB resolved, says Selangor exco

Selangor exco V Papparaidu expects the majority of the Indian electorate in Kuala Kubu Baharu to turn out to vote this Saturday.

HULU SELANGOR: A Selangor exco says the primary concerns affecting the Indian community in Kuala Kubu Baharu, including resettlement, have been resolved.

V Papparaidu, the state’s human resources and poverty eradication committee chairman, said the issue of resettling 245 plantation worker families from five estates in Bestari Jaya, Hulu Selangor, had been resolved through government initiatives for housing construction.

“The housing issue at Ladang Mary, Ladang Nigel Gardner, Ladang Sungai Tinggi, Ladang Minyak, and Ladang Bukit Tagar is settled,” he told FMT during a campaign event for the Pakatan Harapan candidate in Kuala Kubu Baharu town.

“Previously, it was a hot topic because third parties exploited it, attempting to dissuade the Indian residents in Kuala Kubu Baharu from coming out to vote.”

He also reiterated the financial commitment shown by the state and federal governments for housing projects through the allocations of RM35 million and RM40 million respectively.

Housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming made the announcement on Monday, saying the construction of 245 units of People’s Housing Projects would be led by PR1MA Corporation Malaysia with its partner, Berjaya Corporation Bhd.

“A company (Berjaya) has provided 20 acres of land for housing construction, so the housing issue is resolved,” he said.

Papparaidu said he was therefore confident that the Indian community would not boycott the by-election this Saturday.

“There will be no boycott from the Indian community. I can assure you that 15% of the 18% Indian population will vote for the unity government (candidate),” he said.

Malaysiakini previously reported that the voters from five estates in the constituency had set a condition for candidates vying for their votes in the upcoming by-election.

According to the group’s representative Vasudevan Raja Manickam, candidates who want their votes must sign a statutory declaration promising to fulfil all of their election promises.