(From left) Suhaimi, Lwi and Independent candidate Nageswaran are contesting in the Sungai Pelek state constituency.
HOUSING and transportation, in addition to access to Kuala Lumpur and the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Sepang are core issues for Sungai Pelek voters.
Among the contenders in a three-cornered fight for the Sungai Pelek state seat, are two familiar faces from the two main coalitions.
Sepang Bersatu chairman Suhaimi Mohd Ghazali was Dengkil assemblyman between 2004 and 2008 while DAP’s Lwi Kian Keong has been councillor in the Sepang Municipal Council for 13 years.
On nomination day, both expressed their hopes to improve the infrastructure in the area.
Suhaimi, who is representing Perikatan Nasional, said despite the town’s proximity to KLIA, Sungai Pelek had infrastructure that was inadequate.
“Cost of living has increased and the people are struggling with basic needs such as housing and transportation. I will definitely look into these matters.”
The direct bus service from Sungai Pelek to Kuala Lumpur was discontinued, causing hardship to those heading to the city.
Lwi, who is the Pakatan Harapan candidate, said he had many ideas to improve the area but would look into improving the road connections first.
He said there was a dire need to speed up the road connection between Salak and Sepang.
“Another project to expedite is providing a shortcut from Bukit Bangkong to the airport, for the benefit of airport workers.”
Incumbent assemblyman Ronnie Liu (Pakatan-DAP) first won the seat with a majority of 6,586 votes in GE14.
The seat has been held by DAP in the last two terms. Before that, it was held by MCA.
The Independent candidate in the tussle is businessman Datuk Seri Nageswaran Ravi, 34, who is contesting for the second time in Sepang.
He had earlier contested for the Sepang parliamentary seat under Parti Rakyat Malaysia, and received only 165 votes, the least in that election.
Nageswaran said that losing his deposit in the general election had not demotivated him and that he wished to continue helping the people.
“I moved to Taman Tenteram in Sungai Pelek last year and people often come to meet me at a neighbourhood restaurant to ask for help on housing and government-related matters.
“I pledge to donate my (assemblyman) salary to charity. I am not in it for the money, as I have my own scrap metal business.”
He said he would champion the need for more affordable housing and job opportunities, as well as better public transportation.
Long-time resident K.Palanithiruselvam, 50, said one thing the area urgently needed, was a direct bus service to Kuala Lumpur.
“There used to be a daily express bus service that was very reliable for those travelling to Kuala Lumpur to work.
“However, these services had been discontinued for over a decade. People are forced to travel by private vehicles.”
Palanithiruselvam also asked the new assemblyman to look into improving the public ambulance service as people had to pay dearly to hire private ambulance services. — By VIJENTHI NAIR
