KOTA MELAKA: Duyong incumbent and Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Datuk Mohd Noor Helmy Abdul Halem is banking on his five-year track record as he seeks re-election in Melaka.
He said voters wanted a representative they knew, could approach and rely on to help resolve problems affecting the community.
Mohd Noor Helmy said residents expected their elected representative to be visible and accessible, whether through social media or face-to-face engagement.
He said his experience serving the constituency had given him a better understanding of residents’ needs, particularly in household welfare, public safety and basic infrastructure.
He said residents wanted sufficient household income to meet daily expenses, safe and comfortable surroundings, and proper roads and drainage to prevent flooding.
“For five years, we have been on the ground and understand what the people actually need. They are not asking for high-rise buildings or shopping malls. They want their daily needs taken care of,” he said.
Mohd Noor Helmy said development proposals should also be assessed against Duyong’s needs, with unsuitable projects raised through the appropriate channels.
He said voters should assess incumbents based on their work, results and efforts over the past five years, while considering the promises made by challengers.
Among the initiatives during his tenure was a medical crowdfunding effort through social media, which helped families seek public contributions for expensive treatment, including liver transplants and cancer medication.
He said the initiative, which began about two years ago, had also attracted contributions from outside Duyong, with some cases coming from other parts of Melaka and Negri Sembilan.
He added that the funeral management programme involving four mosques in the constituency provided free funeral arrangements and first-night meals for bereaved Muslim families.
He said it reflected his approach of addressing practical needs at the community level.
Mohd Noor Helmy is facing Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Poo Long Suan, a former Hang Tuah Jaya Municipal Council member.