PARTI Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) deputy chairman S. Arutchelvan has been named the party's candidate for Kajang in the upcoming Selangor election.
The grassroots leader, better known as Arul, who is one of PSM's founding members, said he wanted to get the people involved in running and maintaining the town.
He said such an arrangement would cut red tape in the administration, be more efficient and save costs.
“For instance, the people often complain about the lack of cleanliness in their neighbourhood, despite contractors (appointed to do) the job... supervised and approved by Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) officers.
“During my time as a councillor between 2008 and 2013, I suggested that the contractors' work be supervised by resident representatives instead.
“I also suggested that cleaning and maintenance contracts are given directly to the company doing the work, and put an end to the culture of having main and sub-contractors for a task.
“There was a time when it flooded in Broga and the affected villagers quoted some RM5,000 to help clear the blockage that was obstructing the water flow.
“But when I brought it to MPKj to ask for funds, I was told that a consultant needed to be hired and about RM50,000 must be paid for the services.
“There is a lot of money wasted to pay consultants and middlemen, which is a serious problem in the administration that needs to stop,” he said at the Kajang PSM operations centre in Taman Seri Jelok on Thursday (July 20).
Arul, who is from Ipoh, Perak has lived in Kajang since 1991 and has been actively involved in human rights work since his undergraduate days while studying in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia over 30 years ago.
Arul also said he would like to make housing more livable and accessible.
“All new developments must be stopped. We need to restructure the town.
“MPKj needs to take over all the low-cost flats and there is a dire need for houses sold at less than RM100,000.
“Other issues that need to be addressed are connectivity, flooding and lack of greenery.
“I would also like to see senior citizens' activity centres built to keep the elderly happy and healthy,” he said.
