Jalan Sungai Abong in Simpang Jeram, Johor is said to experience flash floods during the rainy season. — Photos: THOMAS YONG/The Star
VOTERS in Simpang Jeram want their next assemblyman to be an approachable person who will improve infrastructure in the Johor state constituency.
Khairul Hazli Maya, 48, who runs a warung (eatery) selling asam pedas dishes, wants a representative who regularly goes down to the ground to meet the people.
“Although we have village chiefs and community leaders who could pass on our message, the impact will not be the same as meeting our assemblyman face to face,” he said.
Khairul Hazli, whose warung is located along Jalan Sungai Abong, said roads in the constituency need to be upgraded.
“The population in Simpang Jeram has increased over the years as people from other parts of the state and country come to work at factories here.
“With this, the number of vehicles has also increased.
“This has resulted in traffic congestion as most roads here are quite narrow.”
He added that as a small business owner, he also faced problems getting workers as most locals, especially youths, preferred to work elsewhere.
“There are job opportunities here, but they prefer to go to Kuala Lumpur, Johor Baru and Singapore as the salaries are higher.
“There has to be a way to encourage youngsters to remain here and help develop the local economy,” said Khairul.
Retiree S. Letchumy, 69, hoped the next assemblyman would allocate funds for a Hindu temple in the area.
“There are no temples around here.
The closest ones are in Muar and Bukit Pasir, which is quite far away,” said Letchumy who lives in Taman Bakri Jaya.
“I have to depend on my children if I want to go to the temple.
They all have full-time jobs and it can be difficult for them to find the time to take me.
Pakatan Harapan supporters in Simpang Jeram seen campaigning while handing out the Jalur Gemilang.
“Although Muar is only 20 minutes by car, for the elderly like me, getting there is not easy as we have no transport.”
The mother of three and grandmother of four also hoped for improvements to the public transport system.
“There are many people who want to use public transport but I only see school and factory buses,” she said.
“Public buses can hardly be seen and we do not even know where to go to take them.”
Robert Tan, 55, who runs a stall at a coffeeshop in Jalan Simpang Jeram, said the rising cost of living was his main concern.
“Most issues are being addressed well by the local council but they can be slow in responding to complaints and enquiries.
Furniture factories like this in the Simpang Jeram constituency have made Muar district popularly known as the furniture capital of Malaysia.
“For me, the most pressing matter is the increase in prices of almost everything around us.
“I hope the assemblyman will bring this matter up in the state assembly and help push for more initiatives to reduce our burden,” he said.
Deliveryman Solehan Sulaiman, 28, wants a people-friendly assemblyman who can address the day-to-day challenges constituents faced.
Soo hopes the area’s uniqueness can be promoted to attract more visitors.
“We understand that the assemblyman may not be able to address the rising cost of living.
“However, he should at least identify those in need and provide the necessary assistance.
“Those working at his service centre should also be proactive and helpful to the community.”
Solehan said the drainage and irrigation system in several areas in Simpang Jeram such as Jalan Sungai Abong needed to be upgraded to prevent flash floods.
Arasu says salaries in Simpang Jeram are not commensurate with the rising cost of living.“There are also some areas with potholes that could be dangerous, especially during the rainy season.
“It can be difficult to gauge the depth of the hole once it is covered with rainwater.
“I have almost got into accidents while riding my motorcycle because of this and so have some of my friends,” he said.
Site supervisor L. Arasu, 57, said there was no Hindu burial ground or a proper place for the community to carry out final rights.
“The closest burial grounds are at Ayer Manis or Bukit Pasir, both about 10km from here.
“Although we make up less than 3% of the total population here, our concerns should also be taken into account,” he said.
The father of three said while there were job opportunities in Simpang Jeram, salaries did not commensurate with the rising cost of living.
“There are jobs here as Muar is known as the furniture capital of Malaysia and there are many factories.
“However, salaries offered are relatively low compared to big cities.
“That is the reason why many people choose to work elsewhere,” said Arasu who works in Kuala Lumpur.
Restaurant owner Soo Geok Eng, 58, said there were roads in areas such as Jalan Jeram Masjid, Kampung Jeram Tepi and Taman Bakri Jaya that needed to be upgraded.
Khairul Hazli wants Simpang Jeram roads to be upgraded following the population increase.“The one that needs the most urgent attention is Simpang Jeram Masjid junction in Jalan Parit Ulu.
“It should be widened to prevent congestion and accidents.
“The junction is known to be accident-prone and I almost got into a mishap a few months ago.
“It is worse at night as the street lights are pretty dim,” said the mother of five.
Soo also hoped the tourism industry in Simpang Jeram could be developed further.
“When it comes to tourism, most of the attention is given to Johor Baru as it is near Singapore,” she said.
“I hope Muar, particularly Simpang Jeram, will be given a spotlight to showcase its uniqueness.
“The presence of tourists will help small businesses like mine grow and survive the current financial climate.”
The Simpang Jeram state seat is part of the Bakri parliamentary constituency, which is currently held by Pakatan Harapan MP Tan Hong Pin.
The other two state seats under Bakri are Bukit Naning and Bentayan.
Election Commission statistics show 40,488 registered voters in the semi-rural constituency comprising Malay (51.87%), Chinese (44.58%), Indian (2.53%) and other communities (0.99%).
The Simpang Jeram by-election was triggered by the death of Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub on July 23.
The Pakatan Harapan-Amanah man was also Pulai MP and Domestic Trade and Cost of Living minister.
The Simpang Jeram seat, previously known as Sungai Abong, is about 170km from Johor Baru.
It is in the Muar district, dubbed the furniture capital of Malaysia as almost 70% of furniture production in the country comes from there.
The district is also known as one of the main producers of ornamental plants and is famous for its asam pedas and otak-otak.
In the Sept 9 by-election, the seat will see a three-way fight between Pakatan Harapan’s Nazri Abdul Rahman, Perikatan Nasional’s Dr Mohd Mazri Yahya and Independent candidate S. Jeganathan.
Nazri is an engineer who has worked for over 30 years at Muar Municipal Council.
Dr Mohd Mazri is a vascular surgeon who had contested the state seat and the Pulai parliamentary constituency in the 14th General Election in 2018.
Jeganathan is a businessman and Bakri Indian Social and Welfare Association chairman who had twice contested the Bukit Naning state seat.
In the state election last year, the late Salahuddin defended the seat with a 2,399 majority against Zarul Salleh from Perikatan, Datuk Lokman Don from Umno (Barisan Nasional) and Mahaizal Mahmor from Pejuang (Gerakan Tanah Air).
