SEREMBAN: Rantau by-election independent candidate Malar Rajaram is vying to make Rantau greener.

The former radio host and Rantau native, who is contesting under a tree logo, said that "recycling", "amelioration" and "transport" are key focus points in her recently launched campaign manifesto.

The community organiser said that while recycling had existed in the area for a long time, many ignored it and did not make it a practice.

Malar said there was a fleet of lorries transporting scrap metal in Rantau and these vehicles could be used to ease recycling efforts.

"The scrap metal lorries could be mobilised to do recycling collection, especially in the villages. The people of Rantau will be the pioneers of the recycling culture," said Malar at her manifesto launch on Tuesday (April 2).

The 51-year-old also wanted to help provide better public facilities for the people, such as cleaner toilets and safer walkways.

"I also want to focus on repairing infrastructure such as installing lights along dark roads and also putting an end to littering," said Malar, who used to present Kampung Ku Radio, a Malay language programme in Toronto, Canada, for 15 years.

She also said that the available buses were not on schedule, while some areas had to do without any kind of public transport.

"A child called me recently and asked me to speak about this problem. The child would sometimes wait for two hours for a bus that wouldn't come," she said.

Present to show support for Malar was philanthropist Kuan Chee Heng, who recently stood as an independent candidate in the March 2 Semenyih by-election.

Kuan, who was invited to give a brief ceramah, said he was drawn to Malar's fighting spirit to contribute to the people of Rantau.

"It's a good thing happening in Rantau, as a local dares to come out and compete in a by-election, despite the lack of funds to campaign. We need leaders who can serve the people, and not their political masters or parties," said the former cop.

Kuan's advice to Malar was to continue serving the people, even if she were to lose in the four-cornered fight for the Rantau state seat.

"Even if you lose, you must keep on serving. When candidates lost in their attempt to be a YB (Yang Berhormat), they will go missing and this is not good, because whatever promises made to the people must be fulfilled," he said.

The Rantau polling day on April 13 will see Malar squaring off against three- term Rantau assemblyman and Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Pakatan Harapan candidate Dr S. Streram and another independent candidate, Mohd Nor Yassin.



