Metro

Saturday May 11, 2013

Elected representatives must continue to work for good of community

By FOONG PEK YEE
pekyee@thestar.com.my


WHEN campaigning for the 13th general election ended at midnight last Saturday, the decision on who was fit to be the elected representative was in the hands of the voters.

Malaysians, irrespective of background, had made the decision on Sunday, and it is time for the winners from both parties to start work.

It does not matter who had voted them in.

In fact, nobody has the right to question the people’s choice, or worse still criticise or condemn their decision.

This is the very basis of democracy.

Furthermore, one’s vote is a secret.

Now is the time for the YBs (Yang Berhormat in Malay) or the honourable in English, to honour their pledges.

While the people could put up with their many antics of campaigning, I also believe that the people’s expectations of their YBs’ performance is very high this time around.

Those who made it to the finishing line must be thankful as this is considered the country’s toughest elections to date.

For a start, it would be good if the government of the day can convince the people that there is no double standards in the maintenance of public amenities, especially roads and drainage system.

The general perception is that Opposition strongholds would be punished, and pothole- riddled roads in their area is something the constituents will have to live with.

But I choose to believe that the perception is merely a misconception.

I think poor maintenance of public amenities is the fault of the local councils.

In fact, I would say the level of such maintenance is based on the type of housing area and not whether the place is an Opposition stronghold or otherwise.

For instance, the high end housing estates are better maintained, have cleaner surroundings and more landscaping compared to lower end housing areas.

A good comparison is Chateau Park in Ipoh, a considerably upmarket housing estate and its nearby poor neighbour — a block of low cost flats.

Any passer-by can notice the vast difference between them as they are just a stone’s throw away from each other.

To me, the council should make sure the surroundings of the low-cost flat, in this case, have basic maintenance; meaning no overgrown grass, clogged drains and illegal dumpsites.

Is that too much to ask?

During the campaigning period, the candidates made a beeline to the low-cost housing areas which are more densely populated.

Anyway, I doubt the election hopefuls have any access to voters staying in high end properties.

They can just walk inside a block of low-cost flats for a door-to-door visit.

For high-end areas, the campaigners cannot even go past the guardhouse.

Hopefully, the YBs will continue to make a beeline to the low-end housing areas in the next five years to help improve residents’ lives.

In fact, these are the people who need the most help.

Another common target for votes are villagers and lower income people.

So, let’s watch if the outpouring of concern by politicians for their voters’ plight and welfare during campaigning time be translated into action in the post GE13 period.

And will the YBs or their personal assistants be as accessible compared to the campaign period when they would answer incoming calls at the first ring?

It is almost a week after polling and many of the winners or losers have yet to go to the ground to thank the people.

Not to mention that some, especially losers, have either shut their phones or are not picking up their calls at all.

Besides going to the ground, the YBs, especially MPs must be ready that they will come under close scrutiny.

Some MPs who are backbenchers should know that they can no longer go to Parliament, sign their attendance and escape by the backdoor.

They are as good as absentee MPs and yet enjoy the all sorts of perks, including the allowance for attending Parliament.

It has been reported that the Government has to spend about RM1mil per MP and some RM500,000 per assemblyman for one term.

The amount covers his or her perks like gratuity, allowances and all sorts of claims.

I guess the rakyat, as tax payers, will also like to know the breakdown for the amount spent on their YB.

And also the amount spent for other positions, especially for ministers, deputy ministers or state executive councillors.

Let the people judge them based on facts, and see whether they are worth their support for another five-year term.

Let us see whether they will actually serve the people and nation, or will they be self-serving.

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