KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 — While much attention has been heaped on a 22-year-old law student contesting in Batu as an Independent, another older but equally party-less candidate has been quietly going house to house to canvass for votes.
Datuk VM Panjamothy, 62, said he prefers the old-school technique to garner support, adding that he has been building his momentum at a steady pace since Nomination Day last Saturday.
“As an Independent, I just proceed with my initial plans and so far, I have received overwhelming support from the constituents, which is very encouraging,” he said.
Panjamothy said visiting each house in the urban parliamentary constituency lends a more personal touch to his campaign.
“It is better when I personally engage with them, and they see me face to face,” he said.
The former MIC man said he was born and bred in Sentul and hopes to highlight his community’s concerns on the downsides of rapid development that is changing this area of the capital city, from steep living costs to traffic snarls, in Parliament.
“There is tremendous development that is taking place here, but everything is for luxurious condominiums and not everyone can afford one.
“Having said that, the people here also do not deserve to face terrible traffic on a daily basis. The volume of cars has increased but the roads remain the same,“ he said.
Panjamothy also said he is championing the construction of low-cost housing for residents to eliminate the squatter colonies in Sentul, and to provide a proper place for families to carry out funeral rights.
“Sometimes, it is very sad to see them carrying out funerals under tents, so we need a proper place where they can carry out their rituals in peace,” he said.
Explaining how he too grew up in tough conditions, Panjamothy said the first-hand experience gave him a good idea of the plight of the country’s poor.
“I grew up in an attap house, using paraffin oil lamps for light and water from the well to cook and clean ourselves.
“If elected, I will make sure the community here is not left out, that the people are empowered, which will bring benefits to their cause,” he said.
The fourth of 12 siblings said he believed elected representatives should always be on hand to assist the people, and be solely committed to the cause.
“Unlike other candidates, if I am elected as the people’s representative, I actually live within the constituency of Batu,” he said.
“Also, if I am elected, this is my full-time vocation and cause. I do not have to pay attention to studies or attend school, which will take my attention away from work,” he said, in a none-too-subtle dig at fellow independent rival P. Prabakaran, 22, a law student who was officially endorsed by incumbent Batu MP Chua Tian Chang from PKR at a ceramah in Sentul last night.
Panjamothy claimed to be unaffected by the support for Prabakaran from the two-term Chua, and said it would not detract his own campaigning.
“There is no impact on me. I am a local boy, born and bred here and familiar with residents,” he said with arms spread out to indicate the entire Sentul district.
“It shouldn’t be a problem for me. Any candidate who takes part in the election has a main focus, that is to stay optimistic and go out there to win,” he added.
Panjamothy disclosed that he had offered to represent the Pakatan Harapan Opposition pact earlier this week, but no one came calling.
“I have no regrets, as I have nothing to lose. It is up to them who they wish to endorse.
“With over 40 years of community service in the area, I can say I have done my homework and I will benefit the people,” he said, touting his experience as a Rukun Tetangga chairman and council member of the Malaysian Drug Prevention Association (Pemadam).
Panjamothy is vying for the Batu parliamentary seat against Barisan Nasional’s Datuk Dominic Lau, Azhar Yahya of PAS, and Prabakaran who now has the backing of the PKR vice-president popularly known as Tian Chua.
