‘Paroi has never belonged to any one party forever. We have changed before and we will change again if we feel things are heading in the wrong direction.’
SEREMBAN: In Paroi, political loyalty has become increasingly fluid, with voters saying performance now matters more than party affiliation as they prepare to cast their ballots in one of Negeri Sembilan’s most closely watched contests.
The constituency, which has changed hands at every state election since 2004, has earned a reputation as a political bellwether, with residents saying they are prepared to back whichever candidate they believe can deliver tangible results.
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With 64,998 registered voters, Paroi is the largest state constituency in Negeri Sembilan and is expected to be a key battleground in Saturday’s state election, testing whether voters would remain with established political coalitions or opt for another change.
Residents interviewed by theSun said their decisions would ultimately be shaped by a candidate’s track record, accessibility and ability to address everyday concerns, rather than party colours.
Faizal (not his real name), 45, who has lived in Paroi for more than two decades, said blind political loyalty is becoming a thing of the past.
“People here are no longer blind supporters. They look at the person first, who the candidate is, whether they understand our problems and if they will still be around after the election.” He said Paroi’s rapid urban growth has brought new challenges, such as expanding housing developments and increasing pressure on infrastructure.
“Paroi has always been lively, but it used to be much quieter. Now there are more people, more vehicles and greater strain on the infrastructure.
“If more housing is built without improving the roads, traffic management and public facilities, residents would feel the effects every day.”
For Nurul Huda, 27, the priority is ensuring young people have enough opportunities to build their future without leaving Negeri Sembilan.
“Many of us do not want to leave. Paroi is already a comfortable place to live. We have shopping malls, facilities and everything we need nearby,” she said.
“However, if the opportunities are not here, we have little choice but to move elsewhere.” She said Paroi’s proximity to Seremban gives it an advantage, but future development should focus as much on creating quality jobs as on physical infrastructure.
“We need opportunities that give young people confidence they can build their future here.”
For Siti (not her real name), 52, Paroi’s electoral history reflects a constituency unafraid to vote for change when residents feel their concerns are ignored.
“Paroi has never belonged to any one party forever. We have changed before and we will change again if we feel things are heading in the wrong direction.”
She said residents are not looking for grand projects or extravagant promises, but rather representatives who understand the daily struggles faced by ordinary families.
“People are not asking for the impossible. We just want to live with dignity, put food on the table, pay our bills and not feel guilty every time we spend money on basic necessities.”
Since it was first contested in 2004, Paroi has never been retained by the same party for more than one term.
The repeated shifts in political control have cemented Paroi’s status as one of the state’s most unpredictable constituencies, where electoral outcomes are often determined by local sentiment rather than traditional party loyalties.
As voters prepare to head to the polls on Saturday, many said the deciding factor would not be the party logo on the ballot paper, but whether the candidate could respond to the realities of a fast-growing community.
For Siti, Paroi’s political history carries a clear message for those seeking its mandate.
“Do not come to us only during election season. We remember who stood by us when we needed help and who disappeared after getting our votes,” she stressed.
“A party may win today but that does not mean it owns our votes forever. We know how to reward those who work for us, and we also know how to send a message when we feel forgotten.
