It got its name from a tree called “pokok terap”, a drought-proof, rubbery plant which grows in abundance in the district.

The parliamentary constituency, which is held by Umno’s Mahdzir Khalid, consists of two state seats: Kuala Nerang and Pedu. Both are held by Umno assemblymen, Badrol Hisham Hashim and Kama Noriah Ibrahim.

The district’s residents are mostly rubber tappers and farmers, who are predominantly Malay (92%).

A trip to the district, which is 33km away from the city centre of Alor Setar, is like travelling back in time – something that Amanah’s constituency coordinator for Padang Terap, Mohd Khairizal Khazali, fully realises.

“When you come here, you feel as though you are in the 1970s or 1980s in spite of the fact that we are already approaching 2020. Padang Terap is being left far behind in terms of economy and development,” he told FMT.

Khairizal said the elected representatives, one of whom is a senior minister and a former menteri besar, had neglected the needs of the people in Padang Terap.

He said issues with basic infrastructure such as water supply, unsurfaced roads, collapsed bridges and the lack of street lamps had not been looked into by the state government.

“It is sad to say they have not prioritised the economic issues affecting the people in Padang Terap. About 80% of the people here earn a living from farming and rubber tapping, and they are finding it hard to make ends meet.

“They know that the price of rubber is unstable now, at about RM2.20. Some of the residents tap their own rubber trees, while others tap trees belonging to other people. Whatever they earn will be split into two.

“Let us say a rubber tapper is able to tap 5kg a day. If you multiply that by RM2.20, they get RM11 or RM12 a day. If they are tapping at someone else’s plantation, then they have to split the earnings into two. It is definitely not enough.”

Khairizal said traders were also affected, as the purchasing power of those in Padang Terap had become severely limited. He added that many traders had complained about declining sales.

Khairizal said the current unpredictable weather meant that rubber tappers could not go out and tap, and hence had no regular income.

Instead, he said, they could only earn some money from planting and selling “ulam kampung”.

“The people are beginning to feel the pinch from the slowing economy. And even when Barisan Nasional (BN) tries to win them over by giving out rice and carrying out jumble sales, these are quick fixes only meant to garner votes.

“We do not want such things just because the election is coming. There must be a transformation in the lives of people in Padang Terap.”

Considering the sheer size of Padang Terap, Khairizal said the elected representatives should think of how to increase job opportunities as well as the people’s income.

“For instance, they can set up factories which can then help to generate job opportunities for the people. With wood, for example, they can set up furniture factories.”

Khairizal also said the distance meant that very few people in Padang Terap had the opportunity to seek greener pastures in the city.

He said as Badrol Hisham was the state exco in charge of water in Kedah, Padang Terap should not be facing water woes.

“However, there are areas that do not have any supply at all. The infrastructure is there, but the water does not reach the people.

“Villagers rely on tanks that are filled up by the water authorities once in two days. Those who live near the river will get their water from the river.

“But as for drinking water, the villagers have to go to the town of Kuala Nerang to buy filtered water, as the water provided by the authorities is only for other use.”

Khairizal believes the sentiment on the ground is favourable towards Pakatan Harapan (PH).

“From the campaigns we have carried out, we are asking voters not just in Padang Terap, but everywhere, to make the change and choose PH. Give us a chance to help overcome the problems faced by the people.

“We know that Malaysia is not a backward or poor country, but we question the distribution and management of the country’s resources which do not trickle down to the people.

“We have already launched our manifesto. One hundred days after we take over Putrajaya, we will fulfil those promises. These are not just empty promises. They will be fulfilled.”