PD by-election would-be candidate Stevie Chan releases manifesto

SEREMBAN, Sept 26 (Bernama) – Stevie Chan Keng Leong, who has announced his candidacy as an independent in the upcoming Port Dickson parliamentary by-election, has made four pledges to the constituents in his manifesto.

Chan, 51, a social media personality, said in a statement that firstly, he would work towards the introduction of a comfortable, cheap and dependable bus service between Port Dickson and Kuala Lumpur.

Secondly, he said, he would raise the issue of crime, especially thefts, in Port Dickson so as to address the matter.

Thirdly, he has vowed to work closely with the local council and the federal government to ensure cleanliness is maintained in Port Dickson.

Fourthly, Chan said, he would relocate to Port Dickson and become a full-time elected representative.

“If I am elected as the MP, I will champion people’s issues and ensure that the government fulfills its promises. I will call for a time schedule to implement the major promises.

“I will also propose to the government to set up a parliamentary committee to evaluate all existing and future mega projects, and call for the introduction of a heritage property tax and a luxury goods tax that will have an impact on the richest 10 per cent of households in Malaysia,” he said.

Chan said he would also propose that the poorest 20 per cent of households are given a monthly cash aid, that a special advisory council on education is set up and that poverty is reduced besides raising issues pertaining to the Orang Asli, and arts and culture.

He also said that he would call for an amendment to the election laws to provide for penalties and automatic investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission of elected representatives who resign without valid reasons.

“I admit that some of my proposals may be difficult to implement but, as an independent representative, it will be my responsibility to at least bring the discussion on the matters to the national level,” he said.

The by-election has been necessitated by the resignation of the MP, Datuk Danyal Balagopal  Abdullah, 68, of PKR, on Sept 12 to pave the way for PKR president-elect Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to contest the seat and become an MP.

The Election Commission has set nomination for Saturday and polling for Oct 13.

The constituency has 75,770 voters, 68,486 of them ordinary voters, 7,268 early voters and 16 absentee voters.

In the 14th general election on May 9, Danyal Balagopal defeated Datuk V.S. Mogan of Barisan Nasional and Mahfuz Roslan of PAS with a majority of 17,710 votes.

-- BERNAMA