Setiawangsa’s first-time candidates drum up support

Locals are upset about the presence of roadside stalls along narrow roads like this in Setiawangsa. — CHAN TAK KONG/The Star

UNLIKE other parliamentary constituencies in Kuala Lumpur, Setiawangsa has largely escaped the headlines.

Like other urban areas, issues such as affordable housing and overdevelopment are foremost on the constituents’ minds.

GE15 will see a six-way fight as two Independents have joined the fray.

Saying that they are disappointed with the existing political landscape, these aspiring parliamentarians hope Setiawangsa folk will give them a chance.

Among them is Stanley Lim Yen Tiong, 56, who was a Federal Territory Residents Representative Council (MPPWP) member.

ALSO READ: GE15: Setiawangsa candidates united in opposition against Bukit Dinding development

Lim hopes to help first-time homebuyers among the urban poor. — FARID WAHAB/ The Star

Lim, who was also Setiawangsa PKR deputy chief, said he was upset after the party chose to field incumbent MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad again.

“I decided to quit PKR and stand as an Independent.

“Setiawangsa folk need an MP who will focus on local issues,” he said.

Noting that he worked closely with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) during his tenure in MPPWP to address various problems, Lim pledged to push for partial subsidies for first-time homebuyers among the urban poor.

He also stressed the need for a vocational school to help realise the full potential of teenagers in Setiawangsa who are not academically inclined.

ALSO READ: GE15: Six to contest for Setiawangsa parliamentary seat

Military veteran Mior Rosli Mior Mohd Jaafar, 66, said he decided to stand as an Independent to highlight the welfare of veterans.

Mior says a centralised trading site is needed to house roadside hawkers.

“There are concerns about the low annual pension increment,” he said.

The retiree from Segambut said he decided to contest in Setiawangsa as the area has a sizeable number of armed forces personnel.

Mior also lamented that many new high-rises were not affordable for young people, forcing them to stay with their parents longer.

“Many of these units are snapped up by foreigners instead, while young Malaysians are being priced out of the housing market.

“We also need a centralised trading location to house roadside traders to ensure cleanliness as well as prevent traffic congestion and other issues,” he added.

Pejuang candidate Bibi Sunita Sakandar Khan, 52, vowed to oppose development projects at Bukit Dinding.

Bibi believes her two decades’ involvement in non-profit work is a strength.

She stressed the need for an investigation into how approvals were given by DBKL for the construction of a condominium on the hill.

The plan has met fierce resistance from nearby residents who fear potential landslides.

Bibi, who is also Federal Territories Pejuang Women’s chief, cited her involvement in non-profit work in the last two decades as her strength and a reason for voters to choose her.

Perikatan Nasional’s Nurul Fadzilah Kamaluddin, 33, spoke of the need to uplift the urban poor, especially those in low-cost housing.

In an interview with a news portal, she also emphasised the need for youth and sports development in Setiawangsa.

Barisan Nasional’s Datuk Seri Izudin Ishak is the sixth person contesting the seat.