Pakatan Harapan’s candidate for the Rantau state seat by-election, Dr S. Streram, refers to himself as the ‘people’s doctor’, one who understands the hardship and pain of the people. His vision for Rantau is clear but it can only be realised when the support is translated into votes during polling day. Dr Streram speaks to Adrian Lai and Nur Aqidah Azizi on his aspirations and plans to bring a breath of fresh air to Rantau.
Question: How have your campaign trails progressed and how have the voters responded to you so far?
Answer: I go from door to door to campaign in this by-election and so far, the voters and the people in Rantau have been responding well and they accept my presence here. We discussed many issues during the meeting sessions.
Q: You said that you have served in this constituency for three and a half years. But a lot of people here said they don’t know you.
A: I don’t expect every voter and person in Rantau to know me although I have worked here for more than three years. I think, this is only a matter of statistics. I believe gradually everybody will be touched by my presence here.
Q: What are among the problems highlighted by the people in Rantau when you go down to the ground to meet them?
A: Housing, health, job opportunities and floods are the top four problems often raised by the people in Rantau. Some may think that there are no pressing issues in Rantau, but as the people’s representative, it is my duty to tell them what’s best for them. If we keep quiet and ignore (the problems), then there will be no goals and direction to develop the area. (This way) we can’t progress. When I first came to Rantau, I felt that I was being transported back to 50 years ago. The area lacks development and the people did not know what we could bring to the table.
Q: What are your plans for Rantau?
A: If possible, I would like to set up colleges and universities, as well as upgrade the facilities at the health clinics here. There are many SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) leavers who are jobless. I am looking forward to bringing somebody from training centres to train the young people here.
For me, I want every youngster to have a job, (so that they) can make a living and feed their families. I do not know what were Tok Mat’s (Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan) aims and what had been done here for the last 15 years.
As for health, as a doctor, I can see that the health clinics here lack facilities and amenities. There is only an ambulance at the health clinic.
The clinics do not even have X-ray facilities and patients need to make trips to Tuanku Jaafar Hospital for further treatment. It is troublesome for the people.
Tok Mat claimed that the clinic could not be upgraded as the land could not be expanded.
If that was the case, why can’t you (Tok Mat) find other land? It is his responsibility or perhaps he had failed to.
I prefer to highlight this because this is a basic necessity. I am not looking at a fancy hospital, but rather a clinic which is equipped with facilities and amenities.
Q: Do you think your status as a doctor can help you to win?
A: I am a people’s doctor. I am always with the people and I understand their hardship and pain. As Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) representative, I can only see the vision for the people here. But I have to make sure that it can be implemented. I cannot do it personally as I do not have the authority to do so.
But with the support from the state government, I will be able to draw up a proper plan for the future. PH has picked me as its candidate and I will work hard to get votes from all races and religions. We serve all people and I must work together with the people here.
Q: Are there problems specific to the people in Rantau, such as those affecting the Indian community in estate settlements?
A: Felda (Federal Land Development Authority) is confined to Sendayan, and among the issues are land being purchased at low prices, with some issues also left unfulfilled. These are among the issues that have become so thorny with the state government which had ended in the courts.
Q: You claimed that there was no fire station in Rantau, but it turned out that there is one. Would you like to clarify on the matter?
A: On March 25 last year, I received a call from a resident in Taman Bunga Sejati Rantau informing me about a fire. I went there and saw the house was completely razed.
I asked the owner when the fire brigade arrived and was told that it took between 45 minutes and one hour.
When I asked about the fire station, the resident told me that there was one in Rantau, but he did not know what happened to it. So I went there and was surprised to find the fire station covered with long grass. It looked like an abandoned lot. I highlighted the issue on Facebook and questioned the menteri besar at the time on the situation. Only after that, the fire station began to look decent and functional.
Q: Do you think that you are shouldering a huge responsibility by contesting in Rantau and putting the brakes to Barisan Nasional’s momentum?
A: For me, the Rantau by-election is very important. Although I am an underdog, I try not to feel pressured. I try to meet as many voters as possible and gain their trust by giving me the chance to become Rantau assemblyman so that they can know the difference.
Q: You have a tight schedule for the by-election. What do you do to keep yourself fit and healthy?
A: I sleep at 1am and wake up at 6am everyday.
As a doctor, I take vitamins and practise a healthy diet. I love my Rantau family and I must remain healthy for them.