KUALA SELANGOR, Nov 16 — Muhamad Asyraaf Aminuddin, 23, is excited about voting for the first time this Saturday.
When asked what development he would like to see in his hometown, he said, “I want a mall like in other towns such as Shah Alam. They should also build a new hospital here because the locals have to travel to Tanjong Karang if they need emergency care.”
A short poll by Malay Mail showed that, like Asyraaf, most people here want better roads, more street lights, entertainment centres, and better job opportunities. Things that will significantly improve their lives.
Just forty-two kilometres away from Shah Alam, Kuala Selangor is well-known for its rows of seafood restaurants and the magical fireflies in nearby Kampung Kuantan.
Since Nomination Day on November 5, there has been a lot of “action” involving walkabouts and ceramahs of the four candidates vying for the federal seat.
But the fight is really between caretaker finance minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz who is campaigning under the Barisan Nasional (BN) banner and incumbent Pakatan Harapan (PH) MP (and former health minister under the PH administration) Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad.
The other two candidates are Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) Mohd Noor Mohd Sahar, and Gerakan Tanah Air’s (GTA) Mohd Shaid Rosli.
Following the passing of Undi18 and the Automated Voter Registration Bills, the number of eligible voters in Kuala Selangor has grown from 69,397 to 102,951. An increase of 33,554 voters.
These new voters may just hold the key to who wins on Polling Day although many of those Malay Mail spoke to are rather reticent about whom they favour. Instead, they are more focused on the changes they’d like to see.
“There’s a lot of youths here and what we want are a circuit and a synthetic football pitch,” said Lutfi Shafiq, 30.
He added that Tengku Zafrul’s campaign has brought excitement to Kuala Selangor.
“We can see him jogging in the neighbourhood.”
When asked about Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, he admitted that he had done his job but what he wanted was someone who can improve the economy here.
Another person — an 18-year-old — Malay Mail spoke to at a local restaurant also shared similar thoughts.
“There are a lot of potholes here and it’s not safe for a motorcycle rider like me,” he said.
He also shared his excitement about voting for the first time, saying that many of his friends have been going out to participate in candidates’ campaigns.
“For me, a good candidate is someone who is responsible and does his job, and someone who is not corrupt,” he added.
“I think PH is very pro-democracy and BN is not focusing on religion but themselves, they come down during the election period and disappear when the election is over,” he explained, referring to Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional.
A few of the youths here said although they had not decided yet on who they would vote for, they see Perikatan Nasional (PN) as having helped control the spread of the Covid-19 virus after taking over in 2020.
Noor Lailatul Syafiqah Johan Rafizi, 22, a salesgirl, told Malay Mail that the most urgent issues that need to be addressed in Kuala Selangor are poor infrastructure and the lack of job opportunities.
“If possible, the kampung (village) road needs to be upgraded and there needs to be streetlights because I live in the village and there are no streetlights at all,” she said.
She added that the government should also build factories in order to create more job opportunities for the fresh graduates here.
Older voters like Ong Keng Yap, 32, who manages a dried anchovy store, said that political issues aren’t his priority because he is focusing more on his day-to-day job.
“I didn’t go and see political stuff because earning money is more important... what matters to me is earning a living.”
Although he was born and grew up here, Ong said this would be his first time voting because he spent the past few years working in Japan.
He also said that there’s a lack of job opportunities for the youths here in Kuala Selangor.
“The salary here is only enough for living and with that, you can’t buy a car or house, so most of us have to go to KL or Klang Valley (to work).
“Yes, there isn’t enough development or job opportunities here,” said Ong.
He added he doesn’t know much about the candidates but he will still vote on November 19.
“I will decide (who to vote) on that day,” said Ong.
