Feeling the pulse of urban village folk in big city

Still rustic: After decades, the redevelopment of Kampung Baru remains an elusive target for the government. – RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star

AN ATTENDANT at the Pasar Datuk Keramat entrance guides incoming motorists to available bays at the carpark come rain or shine.

Even under the scorching sun, he toils with patience and often with a smile. Many visitors at the busy site give him small change as a token of thanks.

Around him, festoons of political banners and flags give life and colour to the otherwise drab-looking market in Kampung Datuk Keramat, Kuala Lumpur.

The 15th General Election (GE15) looms and this market in the Titiwangsa parliamentary constituency is witness to political giants eager to make a comeback.

The giants are former Cabinet ministers – Umno’s Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani (Finance minister II) and Amanah’s Khalid Abdul Samad (Federal Territories minister).

ALSO READ: GE15: Commotion at Titiwangsa after aspiring candidate denied entry

Also in the ring are PAS’ Dr Rosni Adam and Pejuang’s Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan.Quest for modernity

For Saadiah Dali, 69, who sells songkok at the market, she is still undecided on which candidate to support.

“I have been busy and have not been following the news about the upcoming polls. So, I cannot choose yet.

“But it must be someone who takes care of the welfare of traders and locals in Kampung Datuk Keramat,” she said.

The mother-of-five, who has been working there since the late 1970s, lamented about the poor state of the market.

Aspiring candidates for the Titiwangsa seat are (from left) Khairuddin, Johari, Khalid and Dr Rosni.

“There is talk that Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) has sold it to a developer, but there is no official confirmation,” said Saadiah.

ALSO READ: GE15: Bigwigs set to clash in Titiwangsa

Clothing trader Abdul Latif Ayob, 75, is concerned about the redevelopment of Pasar Datuk Keramat.

“This market has been around for five decades, yet no major upgrades have been undertaken in that period.

“Many sections of the walls are cracked and the whole place looks like a squatter settlement,” said the father of six.

He hoped the future Titiwangsa elected representative would go to the ground to find out more about the local issues.“Don’t show up only during the campaign period and vanish after winning, never to be seen again.

“In the past, voters experimented with new faces but this time, we will likely go with a known candidate,” added Abdul Latif.

On March 17 last year, more than 40 shops at Pasar Datuk Keramat were razed in a fire, prompting calls for the market to be redeveloped.

These shops were rebuilt early this year, but checks by StarMetro found only a handful were operating at the site.

Then on June 11, another fire broke out, destroying several sections of the market. Fortunately no fatalities were reported.

Some 3km away, in Kampung Baru, there are mixed opinions about plans to redevelop the Malay enclave, which after decades, has yet to materialise.

Roadside trader Ghani Zainal, 38, is open to development as long as Malay architectural elements are retained.

“There is also the issue of multiple land ownership which has yet to be settled,” he added.Abdul Latif says it is vital for elected representatives to go to the ground regularly.

During his tenure as Federal Territories minister under then Pakatan Harapan government, Khalid wanted to redevelop Kampung Baru with a plan to offer RM850 per sq ft as compensation to landowners, alongside RM150 as shares in a special purpose vehicle.

The plan was, however, abandoned by Khalid’s successor Tan Sri Annuar Musa after the Sheraton Move.

In Kampung Pandan, locals were upset over a flyover project near their homes.

“It is a threat to our well-being and safety. We need an MP who will speak up,” said a resident who declined to be named.

Voters’ input

More than 70% of Titiwangsa electorates are Malays, making it one of two Malay heartlands in the capital city. The other one is Bandar Tun Razak.

The 15sq km-constituency had less than 62,000 registered voters in GE14, but now has over 80,000 eligible voters to cast their ballot.

For mixed-rice seller Khairul Rahman Zainudin, 47, in Kampung Baru, national issues take precedence over local ones.

Concerns about corruption and power abuse, to him, are more pressing and the polls give people a platform to voice their dissatisfaction.

“We cannot focus only on local issues as impact from national concerns will have trickle-down effect nationwide,” said Khairul.

In his opinion, Johari is a clean leader while Khalid has cultivated warm relationships with petty traders.

Munir Muhamad, 53, a tailor at Pasar Datuk Keramat, feels that Johari has an advantage due to his closer relationship with the local community.

“Even after he lost in GE14, he remained active by giving aid during the Covid-19 pandemic,” he noted.

He, however, stressed that Dr Rosni must not be discounted, as her party had won the seat in GE12.

Roslan says plans to redevelop Kampung Baru must be continued to solve the traffic problem.Sundry shop owner Roslan Hashim, 41, said Khalid had experience in managing a city constituency given his track record of serving as Shah Alam MP for three consecutive terms.

“His plan to develop Kampung Baru was actually good as it would have solved the perennial traffic issue here,” Roslan added.

Banana fritter vendor Nazaruddin Buyong, 72, said the results of the Melaka and Johor state elections proved that Barisan Nasional was still a force to be reckoned with.

“They are a trusted brand,” he said, while expressing hope the eventual winner could solve the Kampung Sungai Baru redevelopment issue.Race to win

The people interviewed by StarMetro reckoned the battle would be fought mainly between Johari and Khalid, both of whom had their respective strengths.

Dr Rosni, although likeable thanks to her background as a dentist, was seen as a newcomer with no track record, alongside Khairuddin.

The PAS Women’s deputy chief was not without electoral experience, as she had contested in GE14 for Bandar Tun Razak, where she ran her clinic, but lost.

The soft-spoken 52-year-old has been doing the rounds in Kampung Datuk Keramat and Kampung Baru, touching base with voters.

“Meeting with communities requires commitment, but there is also a need for long-term plans to address their issues,” she wrote in her recent Facebook post.

When met by StarMetro during nomination day on Nov 5, she expressed hope that her presence in Dewan Rakyat would empower women’s voice in the country.

Khairuddin, who styled himself as “Abang Din” and an underdog, pledged to keep his campaign clean of mud-slinging.

“I have asked my campaign personnel to stay clear of personal attacks. Let’s keep it professional,” he said.

Admitting he was up against big names, the Federal Territories Pejuang chief highlighted that the party had worked diligently in the last two years to aid the needy.

Johari, meanwhile, has been on an aggressive campaign trail, and even attended a recent meeting by small traders at Pasar Datuk Keramat.

The Titiwangsa-born told crowds during a political ceramah in Kampung Baru that he would focus on local development issues.

He spoke about the need to upgrade Pasar Datuk Keramat and Chow Kit, as well as the welfare of Kampung Sungai Baru homeowners.Khalid, in a text message to StarMetro, said his party believed that his experience as the Federal Territories minister would be a boon in Titiwangsa.

“The party reckons I am best suited to lead the charge for Pakatan Harapan in Kuala Lumpur, given my experience,” he said.

The Amanah communication director, too, has been doing his rounds in Kampung Baru and Chow Kit.

On Nov 4, he performed the Friday prayer at the Kampung Baru mosque, before having lunch with the locals at a nearby warung.