Party flags and banners still flying

Five days after the state polls, campaign materials still blight the landscape in parts of Selangor

WITH the dust from the Selangor state polls settled, clean-up is now underway to remove all party campaign flags, posters, banners and bunting from public areas and to restore things back to before.

While campaign materials in certain neighbourhoods such as SS7 and Sungai Way in Petaling Jaya – with the exception of the odd banner and flag – have mostly been cleared, they still pepper areas like Desa Mentari and Taman Dato Harun.

A check on Tuesday within the Taman Medan and Seri Setia areas and other parts of Petaling Jaya, these campaign materials had taken over the natural landscape at a number of locations.

At eye-level along Jalan PJS 6/5a in Desa Mentari, flags, bunting and banners still hang limply, while on the ground, piles of material can also be seen strewn about at a children’s playground.

Vape shop owner Danial Rahman, who lives in Desa Mentari, said it was accepted that parties would create a mess in their campaign areas.

“Sometimes the volunteers take a while to clean it all up, but eventually it gets done.

Party flags hanging and strewn on the ground at a children’s playground along Jalan PJS 6/5a in Desa Mentari, Selangor. — Photos: ART CHEN and MARIA IBRAHIM/The Star

“I just hope that they will do it sooner rather than later as it is an eyesore.

“The problem is that rubbish contractors won’t clear it unless they are bagged properly.

“Some of the flags and banners have even made their way into drains, and it will cause more problems for us residents.

“These parties wanted us to vote for them, and after the elections, it is as if they have forgotten about all the materials they have left behind,” said Danial.

Section 24B(8) of the Election Offences Act 1954 provides that all election campaign materials displayed must be removed within 14 days of polling day, meaning parties would have to clean up before Aug 27.

Failure to do so would mean the respective political parties and election candidates will have their deposits forfeited.

According to Taman Medan resident Aisha Md Abdullah, her area and neighbouring Taman Dato Harun were overrun with campaign materials from the start of the campaign period at the end of July.

Aisha hoped political parties would consider what the residents had to endure before putting up campaign materials next time.

Low hopes EC will look at improving guidelines when it comes to placing campaign materials.

“I don’t mind parties putting up flags and banners, but sometimes they are placed at junctions, putting road users in danger,” she said.

Petaling Jaya SS1 resident Adrian Low said parties had done a good job to clear up campaign materials in the area, but hoped there would be more emphasis on how flags and banners were placed.

“Quite a few flags had fallen from the road divider onto the road. I think the Election Commission should look into better guidelines for public safety.”

A spokesperson for newly elected Seri Setia assemblyman Fahmi Ngah’s team said they were aware of the uncollected campaign material in the constituency and promised to clean up within the 14-day period.

“We will dispatch a team to ensure thorough cleaning as the current situation does not reflect our party’s values,” he said.

In Puchong Permai, Pakatan Harapan party flags still hang in the central roundabout, while Perikatan Nasional flags are perched on trees during a check carried out on Tuesday.

Muda campaign materials also populate the main roads in the area.

When asked about the removal timeline, Pakatan’s newly elected Seri Serdang assemblyman Abbas Salimi Azmi said the process to take down campaign materials was underway and expected to be completed soon.

Flags and banners are still very apparent along Jalan PJS 2/1 in Taman Medan, Selangor, three days after the polls.

When contacted, Muda’s Seri Serdang candidate Amir Abd Hadi assured that all campaign materials would be taken down by this weekend.

Perikatan’s Seri Serdang candidate Mohd Shukor Mustaffa, however, did not respond as at press time.

Muhd Nabil, a 19-year-old employee at the Puchong Permai food court, said the campaign materials were unsightly.

“The election is over, but there are still party flags in the residential area.

“In my opinion, banners, posters, bunting and flags should be taken down two or three days after the elections.

“While it is understandable wanting to celebrate the win, leaving materials up too long could disrupt the surrounding environment,” he added.

Over in Kinrara, Pakatan assemblyman Ng Sze Han’s campaign posters with beaming headshots continue to blanket Bandar Puchong Jaya and Bandar Kinrara.

Perikatan flags also remain standing in rural sections around Kinrara.

When contacted, Ng’s office said they were in the process of taking down remaining party materials, while Perikatan’s Kinrara candidate Alan Wong Yong Kang confirmed the same.

“My team has already found and taken down two additional flags in Taman Puncak Kinrara.

“We have two weeks per regulation but we are already out removing materials. We aim to clear the constituency as soon as possible,” said Wong.