A challenge to effect change in Subang Jaya

THE Subang Jaya state seat will see a three-cornered fight in the Selangor election, with candidates from Malaysia’s three main ethnic groups: Michelle Ng Mei Sze (Pakatan Harapan-DAP), Zayd Shaukat (Muda) and S. Gana (Perikatan Nasional-Bersatu).

Ng is defending the seat, having won it in the 2018 General Election (with a 48,272 vote majority).

With 111,970 registered voters, Subang Jaya ranks as the constituency with the second-highest number of voters in Selangor.

Ng, 33, said she recalled the stress of taking on the assemblyman role, especially in the six months after the 2018 polls.

“Among the incidents were the Seafield temple riots, Persiaran Kewajipan traffic management plan and the Pangsapuri Angsana fire that displaced about 8,000 residents.

The Damansara-Puchong Highway (LDP) can be considered the ‘backbone’ of the constituency as it is a major highway that connects Subang Jaya and Puchong to Petaling Jaya and Putrajaya. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

“I had to quickly acquire knowledge on technical matters such as strata titles and local councils. Having a legal background and guidance from community leaders helped,” said Ng, a lawyer.

She said public transport, better water security, a government health clinic in USJ1 and Subang Ria Park were some of the issues that needed to be looked into.

“While on-demand transit van services such as Kumpool and Mobi are available, more has to be done to improve first- and last-mile connectivity and infrastructure, such as pedestrian walkways and cycle lanes.

Gana seeks to tackle road congestion with a new traffic management system.

“After many delays, Subang Jaya will finally have a government health clinic, which was included in the 2023 Budget, and will cost RM50mil. While this is a federal matter, we will still have to monitor its progress.

“The Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ) local plan is due for amendment this year, so we need to be aware of what will be changed,” said the Selangor DAP committee member.

First-time candidate Zayd Shaukat Ali from Muda, who is going by “Zayd Shaukat” on the ballot sheets, said he decided to contest because he was passionate about policies and bringing about change across all levels of government.

“I spent four years working as policy analyst at two think tanks based in Bandar Sunway.

“Most of my work was on institutional reforms,” said the Selangor Muda secretary.

Ng says public transport, water security, government health clinic are issues needing attention.

Similarly, Zayd, 27, wants to champion improvements in first- and last-mile connectivity and ease of mobility.

“If we make van-hailing services more readily available and walkways safer, it will encourage more people to take public transport, or walk or use escooters for short trips,” he said.

“I want to improve local government services by digitalising all MBSJ services to make facilities booking simple, and improve current walk-in options to cater to all levels of digital literacy.

“I also want to lobby for local council elections.

“It is important to ensure councillors are elected by the people of Subang Jaya rather than a political proxy of the assemblyman’s choosing.”

As for local communities, Zayd is hoping to improve existing green spaces and sports facilities to benefit people across different age groups.

S. Gana, whose full name is Gana Pragasam Sebastian, is putting his entertainment work on hold as he makes his bid in this state election.

The 55-year-old, whose profile lists him as an actor, comedian, producer, director and businessman, is also Selangor Bersekutu (Bersatu’s non-bumiputra wing) vice-president.

“Should I be elected, my primary focus will be on addressing several pressing issues,” he said.

“I want to tackle traffic congestion by implementing a new, efficient traffic management system.

“I also see that certain areas suffer from neglect, manifested through poorly maintained drains, roads and landscaping, so I hope to find effective solutions to rectify these.”

Zayd wants to champion local council elections and improvements in first- and last-mile connectivity.

The father of four hopes to make Subang Jaya a “successful business port” in Selangor and enhance services to benefit the large tertiary-level student community in the area.

Gana believes that residents’ dissatisfaction with the current state of services and facilities has reached a tipping point.

“The lack of substantial changes in Subang Jaya has spurred a strong desire for a transformation in the system.

“I hope to bring about positive change and address these long-standing concerns,” he said.

SS17 resident AB Naicker said that an assemblyman should have a formal role with MBSJ, such as an ex-officio, to better explain local council policies and decisions.

“Constituents usually reach out to an assemblyman on all matters, not just state affairs. These include solid waste management, development plans, infrastructure shortfalls and green efforts.

“If any assemblyman is not included in the decision-making process within MBSJ, residents will be left to seek explanations from councillors, who are political appointees and do not have an assemblyman’s access to constituents,” he said.

Naicker suggested that an assemblyman engage constituents at regular town halls to explain or listen to feedback on state policies and plans.

USJ3/4 RT chairman YY Tan said to be a Subang Jaya assemblyman, the person must be well educated, know laws and bylaws and understand how to do the job.

“This is a city where people are highly educated and very demanding.

“So an assemblyman needs to be highly visible and communicate well with residents,” he said.