KUALA LUMPUR – Muda’s Bandar Utama candidate Abe Lim has brushed aside speculation that she was fielded as a candidate due to rumours of her “close ties” with party president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
Lim said that her relationship with the party president is solely as a “political acquaintance”, despite rumours about their purported romantic relationship.
“Syed and I have been good friends for a long time, but contrary to popular belief,” said Lim, who is a trained lawyer from Oxford Brooke’s University.
“I’m contesting this seat by merit, and my main priority is to advocate for the issues being faced by the people of Bandar Utama.”
The 27-year-old founder and chief executive of recycling firm Purple Plastics also slammed the suggestions of some netizens who said they would vote for her based on her looks and physical appeal.
“I don’t want the public to judge me based on my appearance. I would like to be known as a policy-making politician rather than a personality-based politician,” said Lim.
Asked about caretaker Selangor menteri besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari’s statement on the possible revival of the PJD Link project, Lim insisted that she would keep opposing the proposal as local residents rejected it.
“We cannot have projects like the PJD Link revived again, and our survey shows that 93% of the public is against this project,” said Lim.
“That is why the Selangor government must declassify the documents and release the three assessment reports. If it gets revived or rebranded, it shows a lack of integrity and breaks the people’s trust.”
Meanwhile, Lim expressed confidence in winning the people’s support despite being considered an underdog in her constituency.
“I feel confident because there are a lot of local issues that are not solved yet, and I’m able to give them an alternate voice.”
As an environmentalist, Lim advocates environmental protection work and urban planning, both of which are central to her manifesto.
“We are here to be the true voice of the people. I don’t have any hindrances. No gag orders from the top will be able to stop what I say to represent people.
“If you know me personally, I’ve been doing environmental protection work for a very long time. But at the same time, this is a platform where we get to blend people first, urban planning into action. That is one of my manifestos as well,” said Lim.
There will be a three-way contest in Bandar Utama for the Selangor election on August 12.
Aside from Lim, the candidates are Pakatan Harapan’s incumbent, Jamaliah Jamaluddin, and Perikatan Nasional’s Nur Aliff Mohd Tafid. – August 4, 2023