IN Selangor, Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional (PH-BN) may lose a few key urban seats due to a number of unresolved issues which are returning to haunt its caretaker menteri besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
PH’s diminishing popularity may be largely attributed to some its current leaders becoming too complacent after being in power for three consecutive terms.
Former DAP veteran Ronnie Liu has alluded this to the 3P’s: Positions, Perks and Power. “Because the positions and perks come from the power, certain people, once they’ve tasted power, position and perks, they lose sight of values, virtues and the reason why they’re in politics,” he recently told Free Malaysia Today.
In Subang Jaya, its state assemblywoman, Michelle Ng has sounded the alarm bell by revealing that the number of postal ballots has dropped by about 70%.
With Selangorians appearing to have lost their confidence in Selangor PH, the situation is unlikely to turn around with voting day for the six state polls being barely a week to go unless Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim swiftly intervenes in his capacity as PH chairman
Complaints that were made to Amirudin and some of his state executive councillors often went unheeded. Many in the political hierarchy have become too complacent that they no longer pay attention to people’s grouses.
“They are oblivious to complaints,” a Petaling Jaya resident who preferred to remain anonymous told FocusM.
“The delivery of service is found wanting in most cases as the leaders have lost control over their own party-appointed local councillors and local council staff. People can no longer take their lip service when issues on the ground are not solved.”
Instead, the state executive councillors spent a lot of time focusing on mega projects that mean little for the people of Selangor. For example, focusing so much energy and time to rebuild the Shah Alam Stadium at a cost of RM800 mil will have little impact on the quality of life for Selangorians compared to improving and providing basic public amenities.
PJD-Link which evolved from the Kinrara–Damansara Expressway (KIDEX) is another example where Amirudin has failed to listen to the people’s wishes.
They have for the past 10 years consistently rejected the tolled highway cutting across their neighbourhood between Bandar Utama and Puchong, citing over development as one of their major reasons.
Although the caretaker MB had issued a statement dated July 31 stating that the Selangor state government has “no intentions to proceed with the proposal and decided to cancel the application for the building of the PJD-Link”, he appears to be still pushing the project through. Until yesterday (Aug 4), he is still not listening to the voices of the people.
As a result, many have taken to the blogs to express their grouses against Amirudin’s administration.
Surat Terbuka kepada Menteri Besar, for example, highlighted anything from illegal dumps, illegal carwash outlets and street hawkers, potholes, flash floods, poor drainage, wastages of public funds, traffic congestion, poor maintenance of public amenities, poor management of tourist spots and night markets in the state, cleanliness, security guard services not following the state guidelines, and uncompleted projects abandoned by contractors for months.
These are common problems which requires a full revamp in the local councils. Until then, the work of local councils needs to be supervised by the state.
While the setting up of the Local Government Development Ministry helmed by DAP national vice-chairman Nga Kor Ming has brought some hope, the first nine months have seen little reform initiatives being drawn up to address the lackadaisical performance by the third tier of government.
“What difference does it make with or without these reforms that the unity government promises?” asked Steve Ng who has voted for PH and its predecessor, Pakatan Rakyat (PH), since 2008.
“If they snub us, we will snub them,” quipped Ng who said he and his friends may skip the polling booth for once.
Another blog, Selangor Scheiss was started in 2021 mainly to highlight the issues that affected the people in Section 14, Petaling Jaya.
Come Aug 12, the following scenarios are possible:
- Some Selangorians may continue to vote for the coalition of their choice as usual.
- PH supporters may vote for the Opposition or cast a spoilt vote intentionally.
- Others may choose to boycott the poll totally and sit out of the election.
- Those who are unlikely to vote for Perikatan Nasional (PN) may vote for MUDA instead.
This may cost PH its urban seats in Selangor for the first time after the historic general election of 2008. MUDA are more likely to be the beneficiaries of these votes. If they win some of the urban state seats, they can be the kingmakers.
Whether they serve in the Opposition or become part of the backbenchers – in order for MUDA to strengthen is position to lead Malaysia into a new era – its elected representatives will have to serve as checks and balances in the state government.
In a broader sense, this is not to suggest that there will be vote swing which will pave way for PN to form the next state government but just protest votes that benefited the Opposition. Most urban voters who are disgruntled with PH in Selangor are still happy with the current unity government led by Anwar.
Unless there is a more people-friendly administration in PH, the displeasure against the new state government may result in another inevitable change in the 16th General Election (GE16) by 2027. – Aug 5, 2023
