PKR Batu Lintang candidate to focus on welfare of poor, flood issues

Cherishe Ng

KUCHING, Dec 9: The welfare of the poor and flood problems in N11 Batu Lintang constituency will be among the issues Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) candidate Cherishe Ng will be focusing on.

Ng, who is the youngest candidate in the 12th Sarawak Election, said if given the mandate to serve Batu Lintang, she will ensure more welfare programmes are implemented including the Keadilan Food Basket and Food Bank programmes for lower income B40 families.

“I will also hold sessions with the people every week to understand their problems and work on overcoming the issues raised, apart from ensuring that MySalam and PekaB40 initatives reach the targeted groups.

“The Keadilan Sarawak Manifesto also pledges to provide cash assistance to poor families earning a minimum income, if the party is given the mandate to lead the State government,” she said in a statement today.

For the past 18 months, Ng emphasised that the team has been active on the ground to send food baskets to poor families in need around Batu Lintang and that experience has opened her eyes to the hardships experienced by the people, especially due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

She saw that many B40 families had lost their jobs, youths were unemployed and some parents even cannot afford to buy milk for their young children.

“It moves me to find solutions through community welfare programmes that also involve young people,” she added.

Ng pointed out that she will also continue to push for the Floor Disaster and Compassionate Fund Plan to help the people of Batu Lintang.

“In the past year, Batu Lintang was often hit by floods and immediate solutions are needed to ease the burden of the people.

“Among the factors that cause floods include issues with the drains and drainage system which are not well maintained. I will come up with a Floor Disaster Plan through consultation with environmental experts and town planners to find a suitable solution,” she said.

Ng is also determined to create a youth community programme with activities, training and guidance that would be beneficial for the young people including to hone their talents to become leaders of the future. — DayakDaily