Loke wants more effort channelled into promoting Seri Kembangan new village as a tourist attraction.
VOTERS from the Puchong constituency, which is made up of those in Seri Kembangan and Seri Serdang, expect their new MP to be easily reachable and continue efforts to promote tourism.
“Whoever gets elected must put the residents’ interests first,” said Mohd Hussin Mat Lelah, 72, who has lived in Serdang Raya for 43 years.
“His actions must be based on what he has learned by going to the ground, not just from those who are at the top,” he said.
Across the river in a new village, Serdang Pusat Wanita Berdaya committee member Loke Haw Ming, 47, hopes the new MP will continue to support efforts of promoting tourism in the area.
Existing facilities like the Rainbow Bridge and river trail had become popular selfie spots but more input was needed to come up with fresh ideas to draw more tourists, she said.
At present, thematic events such as pop-up stores selling unique handicrafts and food are held by the river trail in Seri Kembangan on a regular basis.
Unlike the usual hodge-podge of hawker stalls, these pop-up markets have a classy feel and Loke wants these events organised more frequently.
At the Puchong 14th Mile local market, Chan Kaw, who sells yong tau foo at one of the 29 council stalls here, said upgrades and a renovation to give the place a more modern look would be much appreciated by tenants.
“Now that Puchong has become more developed, public amenities should reflect current times,” he said.
Chan, who has been operating at the market in Jalan Puchong Utama 2 since 2007, said he used to run a stall beside a drain by the roadside in Jalan Batu 14 with other hawkers.
Subang Jaya City Council had proposed that the roadside hawkers be relocated to Taman Saujana Puchong.
But this was reconsidered, so they are now operating at the new stalls built beside the market.
“After the upgrade, these units must be rented out to existing tenants, not outsiders.
(From left) Baharudin, Nurdarina, Jackson, Farid Hazry and Rosli want better roads and help with house upgrades.
“A census must be done to identify them.
“As long as they have not defaulted on payments, they must be allocated a place,” said Chan, 80.
At the outdoor morning market, Geraline Yung, 37, a fruit trader who has been operating for 20 years, asked for a new two-storey market to be built in place of the existing one.
“In past elections, the candidates will bring this up but it has always been all talk and no action.
“We do not expect the new market to be like the ones seen in Germany and Australia, but it must at least have basic facilities such as proper toilets for market traders,” she said.
“Now, we only have two toilets in the main building to be shared among traders in the wet and morning markets.
“The toilets are frequently clogged and we are forced to go elsewhere,” she added.
“A roof for the outdoor morning market will benefit traders too,” said Yung.
“Umbrellas and canopies are expensive and they wear out quickly because of frequent use.
“These expenses are burdensome for petty traders,” she said.
At Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Rasau Hilir in Seri Serdang, its tok batin Baharudin Baka, 44, hopes that the new MP will not forget to look into the welfare of the Orang Asli community.
Village secretary Nurdarina Jasmin Don, 27, chairman Uji Anak Bude, 37, as well as villagers Farid Hazry Baharuddin and Jackson Abdul Malik, both 20, and Rosli Ainudin, 60, are hoping that a budget would be allocated for road upgrades.
They are also hoping for the new MP to offer help with the building of extensions to existing homes to accommodate growing families.
“Many villagers here do not earn more than RM2,000 per household,” said Baharudin.
“There are 100 houses here but the village has a population of 400.”
Many houses were either accommodating two families or more than one generation under one roof and such crowded living conditions could be unhealthy for the community in the long run, he added.
The Puchong parliamentary seat will see a four-cornered fight between Datuk Seri Syed Ibrahim Syed Abu Kader from Barisan-Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress (Kimma), Yeo Bee Yin from Pakatan-DAP, Jimmy Chew Jyh Gang from Perikatan-Gerakan and activist Kuan Chee Heng (also known as Uncle Kentang), an Independent candidate.
