Hasnal (left) speaking to a group of women at a house in the state seat of Kuang, which will see a three-cornered fight.
They want representative to offer solution to traffic jam, floods and lack of schools
LIKE numerous other areas, Kuang in Selayang, Selangor, also has the major issues of traffic jam and floods.
Residents in that state constituency want whoever wins the election race on Aug 12 to ensure the people in Kuang are able to have smoother rides to and from their homes.
Another issue relates to education – the township of Bandar Tasik Puteri needs new schools.
The Kuang seat will see a three-cornered fight between Datuk Hasnal Rezua Merican, 53, from Barisan Nasional, Mohd Rafiq Abdullah, 48, from Perikatan Nasional and Independent candidate Salleh Amiruddin, 60.
Hasnal is a lawyer and has been active in politics in the Selayang area for the past 30 years.
Posters of Hasnal, Salleh and Mohd Rafiq placed along a main road in Kuang. — ART CHEN/The Star
He is passionate about providing welfare and legal aid to marginalised groups.
“I have seen many fall victim to issues that impact them in terms of dealing with local council and state level matters.
“They may need legal representation but they cannot afford it.
“I want to work closely with this group to champion their issues,” said Hasnal.
On the other side, Mohd Rafiq believes his links to the area will stand him in good stead as the future assemblyman.
The businessman said his maternal side of the family was from Selayang and for this reason, he was familiar with the local folk and the problems they faced.
He said the flood issue in Kuang was something close to his heart and he would do his best to address this concern.
Meanwhile, incumbent assemblyman Salleh, formerly from Bersatu, is now contesting as an Independent candidate.
In 2018, he won the seat with a 2,860-vote majority.
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Salleh said he had been working on several issues with the Selayang Municipal Council, including solving floods.
On other talking points, he said, “There are traditional villages here with potential to be tourist spots.
“Kuang residents are also burdened with high toll charges and I will address this as well.”
Bandar Tasik Puteri resident Muhammad Azhan Ramli, 51, said the township had about 90,000 residents but there was only one religious school, which could not accommodate the number of students seeking religious education.
He said there were only two primary schools and one secondary school, which was not enough for the local population.
“Parents are forced to send their children to study in schools located far away and have to fork out about RM100 per child for transportation. We need more schools urgently.
“We also need government clinics and a community hall.
“As the township expands, we need more amenities,” said Azhan.
The breakdown of voters in Kuang are Malay (75.93%), Chinese (12.04%), Indian (9.68%), Sabahan (0.19%), Sarawakian (0.19%), Orang Asli (0.8%) and others (1.17%).
