Jeram padang: Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Jeram Padang state seat, G. Manivanan, says he has reached more than 85 per cent of voters through his grassroots campaign efforts ahead of polling day on Aug 1.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Manivanan, who serves as the political secretary to the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president, stated that his campaign is progressing as planned. He expressed confidence in engaging the remaining 15 per cent of the constituency in the next three days. Manivanan began his outreach nearly three months ago and has received positive feedback from voters during the official campaign period. He has extensively covered most areas and revisited certain locations to meet residents.
The remaining areas to be covered include specific housing estates and remote locations that were previously overlooked. Manivanan emphasized the importance of visiting these areas promptly. He shared these insights during a community afternoon tea event with PH Communications Director Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil at Felda Bukit Rokan Barat.
The former Kapar Member of Parliament has instructed campaign workers to maintain discipline and avoid actions that could undermine voter confidence. Drawing on his nearly 20 years of political experience, Manivanan aims to ensure a smooth campaign and avoid common last-minute election mistakes. His campaign currently focuses on communicating 10 key pledges, covering aspects such as clean governance, job creation, public welfare, youth and women's empowerment, education, affordable housing, modern agriculture, tourism development, healthcare, and infrastructure improvements.
Discussing the constituency's voter composition, which includes approximately 56 per cent Malays, 33 per cent Indians, 10 per cent Chinese, and others, Manivanan highlighted the PH campaign machinery's structured daily schedule for balanced outreach. The campaign visits diverse communities, including Chinese residential areas, Malay villages, Indian settlements, and Orang Asli villages, ensuring no voter is left behind. Personal engagement, such as visits to smaller communities like Kampung Tasik Seri Pancor, is prioritized to address concerns about political leaders' visibility.
Jeram Padang is experiencing a four-cornered contest involving incumbent Datuk Mohd Zaidy Abdul Kadir of Barisan Nasional (BN), Manivanan, Datuk R. Sri Sanjeevan of Bersatu, and Dayana Dal of the Parti Orang Asli Malaysia. In the previous state election, Mohd Zaidy retained the seat with a narrow 693-vote majority, marking Jeram Padang as a marginal seat in Negeri Sembilan.
According to the Election Commission's electoral roll updated on June 4, Jeram Padang, one of four state constituencies under the Jempol parliamentary constituency, has 16,590 registered voters. Located in the Jempol district, Jeram Padang is predominantly a rubber-growing area situated along the main route linking Bahau with Gemas and Tampin in Negeri Sembilan.