Taman Medan is densely populated and has a long way to go to catch up with its wealthier neighbours. — Photos: SAMUEL ONG/The Star
THE high cost of living and social ills among youths are issues of concern for voters in Taman Medan.
This state constituency in Selangor stretches from Taman Medan in PJS1 across Jalan Kelang Lama and all the way to Taman Baiduri near Section 14, snaking past parts of Petaling Jaya Old Town.
It has perhaps one of the most mixed communities, ranging from low-cost housing to multi-million ringgit bungalows.
Taman Medan is a densely populated area with more than 61,000 voters, with Malays making up about 68% of the total, according to the 2018 electoral roll.
The former tin-mining area has come a long way from its squatter colony days, but still has a long way to go to catch up with nearby areas on the socio-economic scale.
Former food seller Melati Majid said she had yet to meet any of the candidates contesting in Taman Medan.
“We want a state government that can reduce the cost of living.
“The people here are easy-going – all we want is peace.
Dr Afif hopes to wrest Taman Medan from Pakatan.
“We are not really bothered about the race of the candidate as long as they can serve us properly,” said Melati, a mother of five.
Her daughter Maisara Isa, 21, said the constituency had developed rapidly and many of her generation were now coming out of the cycle of poverty, thanks to better jobs and education.
“As of now, my income is enough for me to provide for my mum.
“We want political stability and an assemblyman who will solve our problems.
“I will read both manifestos (from the opposing sides) and then decide who will best represent us here,” she said.
Azhari says he has to work two jobs to make ends meet.
Azhari Junos, 26, a Taman Medan voter who hails from what was formerly Kampung Lindungan, said for youths like him with only a Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia qualification, good jobs were hard to come by.
“I have to take on two jobs to get by – working part-time in a hawker stall and as a gig worker,” he said.
“My daily income is only enough for my expenses that day.
“I cannot think of getting married or buying a house. I have to stay with my parents to cut costs.”
Azhari also mentioned that there were no recreational places for youths in his area.
“I have yet to decide who to vote for,” he said.
Aina Balqis, 21, a teacher from Mentari Court apartments, said she would vote for the person who would best serve the electorate.
“I don’t care whether they are local or not, or if they are of the same race as me.
“I will vote based on their profiles and check their manifestos,” said Aina, who also noted that she had yet to meet any of the candidates.
Two vehicle workshop operators in PJS1, who only wanted to be known as Wee and Koh, said they hoped Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) would resolve the issue of illegally parked vehicles which was affecting their livelihood.
Wee said rental of their workshops was very high at RM3,000 per month, but their income had decreased since the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I am a voter here for many years. My main complaint is illegal parking.
“For us workshop operators, it affects our business when people park illegally.
Ahmad Akhir was seen reaching out to voters in Taman Medan.
“MBPJ personnel will come once in a while and issue summonses but the motorists’ irresponsible act will just be repeated all over again.
“The candidates promise us many things but after elections, the illegal parking problem stays unresolved,” said Wee, who hails from Melaka but has been staying in Taman Medan for 30 years.
A few units away at his workshop, Koh said, “Before the pandemic, we were able to rent one parking bay for RM400 but this was retracted.
“RM400 is not a small sum for people like me.
(From left) Aina, Melati and Maisarah are hoping for an assemblyman who will serve Taman Medan effectively.
“When a car service centre moved in next to us, the parking issue became worse.
“MBPJ should rent the private land in front of our shops and turn that into a parking lot,” suggested Koh, who was born and raised in Taman Medan.
“Another problem is MBPJ’s insistence on the use of special rubbish bins, which we have to buy, and we are issued compounds whenever it goes missing.
“Also, the government needs to reduce the cost of living. One person needs RM900 for meals per month in Petaling Jaya.
“The Federal Government promised during the last general election that prices of goods will go down.
“It has been eight months but prices are still high and our currency is weak,” said Koh, who will cast his vote in Taman Sri Manja.
The Taman Medan seat is one of three under the Petaling Jaya parliamentary constituency, alongside Seri Setia and Bukit Gasing.
Taman Medan will see a straight fight between Pakatan Harapan candidate Ahmad Akhir Pawan Chik, who is from PKR, and Perikatan Nasional’s Dr Afif Bahardin from Bersatu.
In the 2018 General Election, Syamsul Firdaus Mohamed Supri of Pakatan won the seat by obtaining 21,712 votes in a three-way fight.
He beat Abdul Mutalif Abdul Rahim from Barisan Nasional who polled 10,772 votes and Ariffin Mahaiyuddin from PAS who got 5,090 votes.
