Maria Chin eyes PJ seat for GE15, hopes to tackle social, economic issues due to lockdowns

SHAH ALAM - Former Bersih activist Petaling Jaya MP Maria Chin says she wants to contest in the coming general elections to complete "unfinished" work delayed in her constituency due to Covid-19 lockdowns.

But the final decision would depend on her party leadership, she said.

"I feel there is still a lot of unfinished business in Petaling Jaya," she said, referring to the impact of lockdowns past two years. Thriving Petaling Jaya, she added has recorded more poverty cases in the past two years.

"We have people who could not afford one meal a day. We have people who don't have access to health care. PJ has no government hospital so there are so many issues and through my various programmes, I hope we can make it more sustainable," she told Sinar Daily Politically Frank.

However, she hopes her programmes would continue if her party leaders does not appoint her to contest in the constituency.

Since Sheraton Move in 2020, there were speculations of her quitting PKR with the other 11 MPs to Bersatu, causing the sudden collapse of the elected Pakatan Harapan coalition. However, she denied the rumours and said "she feels safer and stronger in the party".

She said the rumours could be due to party elections.

"I join PKR mainly because it is a multi-racial party, aims for reform agenda where I personally feel strongly about, so I am here with PKR," she said.

Commenting further on the recent controversial Bon Odori festival issue where Islamic party PAS told Muslims not to attend the festival, Chin said as a Muslim, she does not find the festival to be a threat.

"I don't think so I can advise PAS as we have different views, but bare in mind, Muslims out there, and I do not think so our faith will be vulnerable just by attending a festival.

"If you are abroad there is a mix of so many cultures and religions so let's have confidence in Islam," she said.

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