Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email Ijok by-election: ‘Smiling prince’ a big hit with locals
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tuesday/National/20070424082343/Article/index_html
BATANG BERJUNTAI: He is Punnagai Mannan (smiling prince) to the people of Ijok.
K. Parthiban truly lives up to this image as he is never without his trademark smile.
This is clearly reflected in the posters that have flooded the constituency which show a beaming Parthiban.
Amirtham restaurant owner Subramaniam Sinnasamy said this trait has endeared the Barisan Nasional candidate to locals.
“Even if you scold him, he will smile at you. He’s a jovial and easy-going person who never loses his temper.” Parthiban, who was born in the Raja Musa Estate, is popular with local Indians who see him as a local boy made good.
“Parthiban is a good person. I’ve known him since he was a child. He used to drop by the restaurant when he was in school. Now he’s an educated man and not at all proud or arrogant. He has not forgotten his roots.”
Subramaniam said the constituency had developed over the years with many shophouses and factories which offered jobs to locals.
