PKR candidate Manivannan Govindasamy said Hutan Melintang is considered a safe seat for his party.
The seat has been held by PKR’s Kesavan Subramaniam since 2008. Kesavan is now contesting the Sungai Siput parliamentary seat.
Hutan Melintang’s electorate comprises 28% Indian voters, 55% Malays and 15% Chinese.
Manivannan, who was MP for Kapar, Selangor, said he had received strong support since moving to contest in Hutan Melintang.
“After two terms in PKR hands, I am confident that we can do it again,” he told FMT. However, he said he would be “extra alert” for any tactics used by BN to wrest back the seat.
Manivannan faces BN’s Khairuddin Tarmizi and PAS’ Mohd Misbahul Munir Masduki in the polling on May 9.
The other state seat in Bagan Datuk, Rungkup, was last won by BN’s Shahrul Zaman Yahya in 2013.
Major development projects have been carried out in the area through Zahid, who is BN deputy chairman.
However, Manivannan claimed that these projects did not cater to the needs of the people. Bagan Datuk residents needed more job opportunities, he said.
“There have indeed been a few developments here, but that does not indicate that the people have benefitted or their economic standing has improved,” he said.
In March, Zahid, who is defending Bagan Datuk, had announced an allocation of RM2.3 billion for development projects in the area.
The constituency is also reportedly slated to see a new automotive and vehicle plant, a tuna processing factory as well as an industrial park expected to generate 26,000 new jobs by 2020.
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