FLOODING is a major problem that affects residents in the Paya Jaras state constituency in Selangor.
Places like Kampung Kubu Gajah and Paya Jaras Hilir are some of the areas that have been facing the problem for years.
Kampung Kubu Gajah resident Noor Saddiah Ismail, 38, said she would get worried whenever there was a downpour.
“There have been several occasions where my house was flooded and it is frustrating.
“This is an old village and there is a need for better drainage and water dispersal system.
“We really hope that whoever gets elected as assemblyman can solve our problem,” she said.
Poor drainage and irrigation system in Paya Jaras is one of the main issues in the area.
Meanwhile, Saujana Utama 1 Residents Association deputy chairman Mohd Azman Ismail, 51, hopes that local community problems can be resolved faster by the assemblyman.
“Traffic jam, potholes and faulty street lamps are some of the issues faced by residents here.
“Although traffic can be heavy during peak hours, the dispersal roads that were built later offer alternative routes to residents.
Mohd Khairuddin says the first thing he will do is widen Sungai Subang to address flooding.
“We hope that the Kuala Selangor Municipal Council can act quickly in addressing local issues,” said Mohd Azman.
Paya Jaras is a semi-urban constituency with a mix of traditional Malay villages such as Kampung Kubu Gajah, Kampung Paya Jaras Dalam, Kampung Paya Jaras Tengah, Kampung Paya Jaras Hulu and Kampung Paya Jaras Hilir as well as new townships such as Saujana Utama and City of Elmina.
Prior to the redelineation in 2018, the Sungai Buloh parliamentary constituency, then known as Subang, had three state seats namely Bukit Lanjan, Paya Jaras and Kota Damansara.
Ab Halim says he will strive to improve public transport in Paya Jaras.
After redelineation, only Paya Jaras and Kota Damansara were retained, while Bukit Lanjan was moved to the Damansara parliamentary seat.
In this state election, Pakatan Harapan incumbent Mohd Khairuddin Othman from PKR will be defending the seat in a three-cornered fight against Perikatan Nasional’s Prof Datuk Dr Ab Halim Tamuri from PAS and Independent candidate Nurhaslinda Basri.
In 2018, Mohd Khairuddin won with a 12,072 majority against Datuk Zein Isma Ismail (BN-Umno) and Hanafi Zulkapli (PAS).
There are about 70,000 voters in Paya Jaras.
Nurhaslinda says she will champion people’s welfare in Paya Jaras.
If reelected, Mohd Khairuddin said the first thing he would do was widen Sungai Subang to address flooding in the area.
“I will also work with the relevant authorities to improve the drainage and irrigation systems in the villages and other affected areas.
“For youths, I will set up a one-stop centre for p-hailing riders so that they can rest and pray while waiting for delivery orders.
“If given the mandate, I will also continue to upgrade the fields in the area and build more futsal, sepak takraw and netball courts,” he said.
Mohd Khairuddin further said he would also complete the mosque in Merbau Sempak and enlarge the religious school in the area.
Mohd Azman hopes whoever is elected as assemblyman will resolve local problems faster.
“I have been in Paya Jaras since 2008 and I know the issues faced by the people here,” he added.
The two-term assemblyman had contested as a PAS candidate in 2008 and lost then to Barisan-Umno’s Muhammad Bushro Mat Johor who won by a majority of 642 votes.
Prof Ab Halim said flooding, traffic congestion and lack of recreational facilities were some of the major problems raised by the voters here.
“Flooding in the area cannot be resolved in the blink of an eye.
“It requires multi-agency efforts and a strategic plan from the state government,” he said.
Prof Ab Halim also hopes to transform Paya Jaras into a holistic development hub.
“There is a need for better infrastructure with more systematic planning as well as better public transport in the area, especially to the villages.
“I believe there should be a balance between physical development and community building,” he said.
Nurhaslinda said she would champion people’s welfare in Paya Jaras.
“I feel the people’s welfare is not taken care of here and this prompted me to contest the seat.
“I will organise more programmes that are centred on people’s welfare,” she said.
Nurhaslinda contested the Sungai Buloh parliamentary seat in the 15th General Election last year and lost in a seven-cornered fight, garnering only 113 votes.
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
