State polls: Muda reps will be the people's voice in Selangor assembly, says Syed Saddiq

ISSUES concerning the Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link Expressway (PJD Link) should be debated in the Selangor legislative assembly and put to a vote by elected representatives, says Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

“We don’t think the current process is good enough,” he said, explaining that it was lacking because it involved politically appointed members from the local council and state government.

“This issue should be put to a vote in the state assembly to ensure the people’s voices are heard,” he said on Friday (July 28) after a meeting with community leaders and residents who are against the project in Taman Megah, Petaling Jaya.

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Also present were two of Muda’s candidates for the Aug 12 Selangor polls, Abe Lim (Bandar Utama) and VKK Raja (Bukit Gasing).

“There are concerns which must be immediately addressed,” Syed Saddiq said.

“Look at the ratio of population and buses in Singapore compared with the Greater Klang Valley. We are so far behind. Despite Greater Klang Valley having nine million people – nearly double Singapore – we don't even have 30% of the buses (that Singapore has).

“The reason why we keep talking about building highways is because there is a lack of political will to talk about improving the state of public transport (beyond MRT and LRT) like bus networks.

“These are the things we need to seriously look at instead of an easy way out. We want to focus on solutions.

“For Muda, it’s not just about the PJD Link – that we think is wrong, because it does not follow basic standards – but also other mega projects which ... may go through this ‘fast-track’ process where it is not debated or voted on (but) put behind a wall of secrecy,” he said.

Muda is contesting 14 of the 56 state seats in Selangor.

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When asked what the party hoped to achieve, Syed Saddiq said its candidates will be the voice of the people's conscience.

“Taking Bandar Utama (constituency) as an example, the Federal and state governments will remain the same, so will the MP and councillors, down to the village chiefs. We are just asking for ... a seat to be your voice. If you are forgotten, we will be the first ones to speak up.

“Having Muda members (in the state assembly) will allow us to voice out these issues.

"We are also currently the only party constantly seeking the third vote (local council elections) because if all councillors are politically appointed, how do we expect them to speak with an independent voice to take care of the people's interests?" he said.