SITUATION in politics is fluid. The moment a situation changes, the entire landscape changes too.
While it is true that in a situation where the competition for people’s votes is likely to focus on either Coalition A or B, people will ignore the smaller parties or independents.
But when both coalitions have more than meet the eyes, the third force in the form of activists in a more progressive party like MUDA may yet see some victories in certain constituencies that it is contesting.
So long as MUDA president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman stays clear of the “old fox” (the moniker referring to twice former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad), most people may eventually choose to vote a small fly like MUDA to keep Pakatan Harapan (PH) government in Selangor in checks.
For example, MUDA candidate Abe Lim has brought up the issue about the PJ Dispersal Link (PJD-Link), demanding caretaker menteri besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari to come out clean by declassifying the impact studies conducted as well as the agreement inked by the Federal government and tell the people the truth.
Despite Selangor being the first state to have the Freedom of Information Act (FOI), documents on projects that affect the public are being protected from public viewing under the Official Secrets Act (OSA). Unless it is a matter of national security, such documents – for accountability sake – should be open for public scrutiny.
Strong displeasure
Discussions on chat groups monitored by FocusM shows that netizens are far from pleased with the way Amirudin as MB designate had come out with two – in fact, three – different versions on his decision to deal with the 10-year battle waged by the Stakeholders-cum-Residents Against PJD-Link (ScRAP).
An evolution from the previous KIDEX, PJD-Link has affected residents in Petaling Jaya and Kinrara.
In a media statement, ScRAP chairman David Yoong revealed that an independent opinion poll showed that 93.6% of Petaling Jaya folks have strongly objected to the tolled highway.
“They have also stated this clearly in their interactions with the social impact assessment consultant engaged by the highway developer,” he pointed out.
“A mature city like Petaling Jaya simply has no room to accommodate an elevated highway bludgeoning through schools, scraping past office and religious buildings, and displacing long-time residents.”
A netizen even rightly pointed out that being caretaker government, Amirudin should know that whatever decision made during this period will not be legitimate. This is what they are angry with; if anything, Selangorians are more educated and would not be easily duped to believe in what the state government has issued recently.
In his first statement on PJD-Link, Amirudin had used the word ‘If.’ Everything was contingent on the impact studies conducted, meaning a new submission could be made that shows favourable outcome and PJD-Link project would proceed.
Later, the state government issued a press statement stating clearly that it has “no intentions to proceed with the proposal and decided to cancel the application for the building of the PJD-Link.”
A day or perhaps two later, despite protest on the ground that PJ residents opposed the PJD-Link, and whatever it may evolve into, Amir’s explanation to the public clearly shows that if the requirements are met, the state government would still proceed with the project.
If this is his real intention, it will not go well with many who are affected by the PJD-Link in Petaling Jaya and Kinrara. They say that Petaling Jaya is already over-developed and major tolled highways are affecting the city’s quality of life. Pakatan Harapan was against the toll prior to taking over the federal government in 2018.
This latest development – along with a number of other unresolved issues such as the high quit rent for Rawang Industrial Estate, poor delivery of services and unresolved controversies created by local councils in Selangor, Selangor’s mega projects, clearing of forest reserve and other land swap arrangements – may bring about a backlash on the PH candidates in the affected areas.
Given that Selangorians are unlikely to pick candidates such as now Perikatan Nasional (PN) information chief Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali or its PAS comrades, it is likely that the votes may swing towards MUDA instead.
MUDA has put in place its candidates that appear more credible than being politicians themselves. Most importantly, they understand the issues on the ground and are likely to speak up for Selangorians in the state assembly than the backbenchers who may not oppose their party leaders.
Between MUDA, Bersatu and PAS, MUDA is a better option to work with to form the next state government.
The Opposition parties in the Selangor legislature were weak, making it easy for the state government to push through its questionable mega projects.
These are the seats to be watched: Selangor muda chairman Al Hafiz Ikhwan will be contesting against Amirudin in the Dusun Tua constituency while his deputy Dr R. Siva Prakash is a candidate for the Kuala Ku Bharu seat.
Other MUDA contestants are Abe Lim (Bandar Utama), Selangor MUDA treasurer Afriena Shaqira Sariff (Sungai Kandis) and MUDA central executive committee member Dobby Chew Chuan Yang (Seri Setia). – Aug 2, 2023
