NIBONG TEBAL: Water supply problems and the cost of living are on the minds of people in Sungai Bakap as they prepare to head for the ballot box for the second time in 10 months.
They say they want a local and a "familiar face" to contest the by-election, which will be held following the death of state assemblyman Nor Zamri Latiff of Pas on May 24.
The Election Commission has yet to set the date for the by-election, though.
One woman said they are almost immune to the water problems.
Nurul Ain Abdullah, 20, is from Changkat Dain. She had just got married.
She and her husband help her mother to run a stall selling 'cucur' and drinks.
She said water cuts have been an everyday affair for the past five years.
They receive water only between midnight and 8am.
"We can do our laundry only after midnight and store water for the next day. It was not like this when I was small.
"So we want an elected representative who can address our problem. Not a person who only throws promises around.
"It will be better for the elected representative to be a local person, who knows what is happening on the ground.
"As long as he or she is a local face and able to function (help the people), my vote will go to that person," she told the 'New Straits Times' at her stall.
Nurul Ain also wants an elected representative who can address the rising cost of living.
She said things were becoming costlier, but she could not raise the prices of her 'cucur' as this may drive off customers.
She also spoke about a fly infestation in Sungai Bakap and the need for a better hospital.
Ab Hamid Abu Bakar, 67, from Kampung Tersusun Sungai Duri here, who has voted in five general elections, said the choice of candidate will determine who gets his vote.
He said someone from outside the constituency should not be fielded.
"That is one factor that can lead to a defeat. How are we supposed to elect a leader we ourselves don't know?
"We want a local face, one who knows the ins and outs here," the retired civil servant told the NST at his house.
A housewife from Sungai Dua, who wanted to be known only as Kak Ina, 60, also said an outsider should not be chosen as candidate.