State polls: Resolving Seri Kembangan’s perennial traffic woes

SERI Kembangan township is synonymous with pokok serdang. This distinctive tree species, characterised by its fan-likefronds, can be found throughout the township.

Initially, Chinese families from rural areas were resettled in the area in the 1950s.

The intention was to hinder communication and support to the communists during the Malayan Emergency.

In the 1980s, Kampung Baru Serdang was renamed Seri Kembangan.

Seri Kembangan town has a mix of old and new buildings. — Photos: YAP CHEE HONG and LOW BOON TATT/The Star

Seri Kembangan is often associated with bad traffic jam, and this is likely to be the main topic of conversation during the campaigning period until the state polls on Aug 12.

Despite its name change, the township still exudes a new village vibe with hundreds of old wooden houses, cottage industries and shoe factories.

Incumbent Seri Kembangan assemblyman Ean Yong Hian Wah from DAP, is giving way to 37-year-old Balakong incumbent Wong Siew Ki, who has been a resident in the area for many years.

Pokok Serdang can be seen throughout Seri Kembangan.

“I am a voter here, so it is familiar ground,” she said when contacted.

Siew Ki described Seri Kembangan, which is under the Puchong parliamentary constituency, as a challenging seat with an interesting history.

“I wouldn’t say it is a safe seat. Prior to 2008, it was a tough seat.

“I have to work harder to carry on YB Ean’s legacy.”

Chen (right) will be helping Liau on the campaign.

She described the Seri Kembangan community as one with a strong sense of belonging.

“When you organise a function here, everyone turns up.

“The sense of unity and camaraderie here is strong,” she said.

The other seat contenders are 30-year-old Ken Liau Wei Jian, (Bersatu-Bersekutu) and Independent Wong Jung Lik, 40.Siew Ki is moving from Balakong to Seri Kembangan, where she has been a resident for years.

Both are election newbies and they plan to engage with community leaders to look into issues such as traffic and land matters.

“These are old issues but we need to find ways to resolve them,” said Liau.

He will be helped by fellow Bersatu associate member Edwin Chen Win Keong, 46, who was initially slated to be the candidate for Seri Kembangan.

Chen said he had already done his homework on the area and engaged with local leaders.

Liau confirmed that Chen would be aiding him in the campaign.

“I won’t be appointing a campaign manager,” Liau added.

For Jung Lik, his main focus will be on resolving the longstanding traffic issue.

“If we can solve the traffic problem, we can solve any problem here,” said the former Seri Kembangan MCA public complaints bureau chief.

He said traffic congestion was the main complaint that he received from community members.

“Imagine for an 8km road from Jalan Putra Permai to Jalan Besar, there are 10 traffic lights!

“Have there been any upgrades of the infrastructure or widening of roads?

“I believe a flyover is needed to resolve traffic congestion here once and for all,” he said.

According to the latest data from the Election Commission, there are 62,822 registered voters in the constituency as of this year.

Areas under Seri Kembangan include Serdang Lama, Serdang Utama, Seri Kembangan 1 to 12, Bukit Serdang, Taman Universiti Indah, Desa Serdang and Taman Bukit Belimbing.

In GE14, Ean Yong won with a total of 35,659 votes against Chang Toong Woh of Barisan-MCA (3,514).