KAJANG: The Semenyih by-election nomination which will take place on Feb 16, is already seeing its first contestant.
This follows the move by philanthropist Kuan Chee Heng announcing his candidacy for the by-election today.
The Community Policing Malaysia (COPs) founder said he wants constituents there to have a hard-working representative who will provide them with essential services.
“I see the people of Semenyih need basic services like 10 cent taxi, van and ambulances, as the area is located far from Kajang Hospital.
“Currently, Semenyih has no bus going from the villages to the hospital. I think we need to help the residents of Semenyih,” said the philanthropist who is popularly known as ‘Uncle Kentang’.
Kuan earned his nickname from his kind gesture of handing out potatoes to help feed the needy.
He is also known as the “10-sen man” for providing services such as flea markets, ambulances and taxis to the poor for a symbolic 10 sen.
"My desire to contest is not to establish a good reputation with people who are facing difficulties, but to be an impetus to two other candidates from the PH and BN to do what they are supposed to do for the people.
"I want to champion a victory for the people of Semenyih. They do not have to depend on the government and the opposition to help them," he said at a Chinese New Year open house at his home in Puchong today.
Kuan, who is expected to use the telephone as his by-election logo, is expected to lock horns with candidates from Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan.
Gerakan and Parti Sosialis Malaysia are also expected to enter the fray for the by-election.
The Semenyih seat fell vacant following the death of its incumbent assemblyman Bakhtiar Mohd Nor on Jan 11 from a heart attack. He was 57.
In the 14th General Election, Bakhtiar defeated candidates from BN, PAS and Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) in a four-cornered fight, with a majority of 8,964 votes. He garnered 23,428 votes.
The Election Commission announced that the Semenyih by-election would be held on March 2.
Nomination day has been set for Feb 16, and early voting will take place on Feb 26.
