That is why, she said, her party sent her to contest in Ampang where flash floods and landslides are common.

“I had actually asked to contest in a state where flooding and landslides occurred more severely, but my party said Ampang would be more ideal since I was born and raised here,” she told FMT.

Known as “Dr Banjir” on social media, Nurul Ashikin, 33, holds a PhD in regional environment systems from the Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan, and has been vocal about flood and natural disaster risk management.

She said Ampang’s frequent water disruptions, flash floods and landslides must be resolved as soon as possible so that its residents can live more comfortably.

“The folks at Bukit Indah cannot continue to put up with weekly water disruptions for another 20 years,” she said. “Same for those living at Taman Kosas. They cannot constantly be at risk of flash floods when it rains, and they have already been facing that for 15 years.”

The Pejuang women’s youth chief also said she wants to resolve the lack of special needs schools and youth unemployment in the constituency.

Nurul Ashikin is making her debut in the general election, but faces a nine-cornered fight for the Ampang parliamentary seat.

She will be going up against three-term MP Zuraida Kamaruddin (PBM), Rodziah Ismail (Pakatan Harapan), Ivone Low (Barisan Nasional), Sasha Lyna Abdul Latif (Perikatan Nasional), Lai Wai Chong (Warisan) as well as independent candidates Tan Hua Meng, Shafiq Izwan Yunos and M Raveendran.

Nurul Ashikin said what could set her apart from her eight rivals is her “strong” political will to solve Ampang’s problems.

“All of the plans I outlined in my manifesto are issues I read about from research papers, or experienced during my time in Japan,” she said, adding that she only “dares” to promise solutions she is confident of implementing.