State polls: Muda’s Kota Anggerik candidate wants more engagement between residents, local authority

MUDA’S candidate for the Kota Anggerik state seat, Azad Akbar Khan, says community engagement is necessary as it would lead to sustainable decisions and improve the liveability of local communities.

“In Kota Anggerik, the Shah Alam City Council must engage the people in decisions that have an impact on their lives, through openness and participation.

“It is the third tier of government that plans, coordinates, manages and controls development processes at a local level and it must allow communities an opportunity to be heard,” he said after meeting constituents at MK Fatima Bistro Restaurant, Section U13, Shah Alam, earlier Tuesday (Aug 8) morning.

In this state election, one of Azad’s pointers in his manifesto is to act as the people’s voice for a check-and-balance in the state government without compromise.

“Democratic participation is critical for people to meet, contribute and communicate suggestions without restrictions.

“The Selangor government has a crucial role in creating an environment which allows people’s voices to be heard and not restrict engagement with ratepayers,” he said.

Azad added that people want opportunities that will allow them to have more of a say in the decisions that affect their lives be it a new elevated highway towering across their homes or even converting a green area for commercial purposes or parking facilities.

“Citizen committees formed to address issues that were not discussed with the people are testament that ratepayers want participation to shape decisions that affect them and their environment.

“Involving residents in decision making leads to better policy outcomes,” he added.

Meanwhile, another pointer Azad highlights in his manifesto is the gig economy that is transforming the local economic market in Kota Anggerik.

“Young people are involved in ride-hailing, ecommerce delivery and media consultancy. With such opportunities, individuals are able to choose flexible work hours.

“We need to strengthen access to technology for the development of the gig economy,” he said.

Azad believes the gig economy will reduce income inequality where it provides people with stable incomes over a period of time and some small home-based businesses may grow as demand increases.

In this state elections, Kota Anggerik will see a three-cornered fight between lawyer Azad Akbar, 35, who will be up against Najwan Halimi, 38 (PH-PKR), and businessman Mohamed Sukri Omar, 36 (PN-PAS).

With a total of 95,104 voters, Malays in Kota Anggerik make up the majority at 68,690, followed by the Chinese (16,448), Indians (8,036), Sabahans (532), Sarawakians (400), and Orang Asli (145) while other ethnicities constitute 853 voters.

Kota Anggerik was won by incumbent Najwan Halimi in 2018 with a 17,004-vote majority.