State polls: Seri Serdang’s Amanah candidate announces plans to empower communities

EMPOWERING communities, especially those living in the traditional villages and upgrading public infrastructure are two key elements that Amanah's candidate for the Seri Serdang state seat in Puchong, Selangor is hoping to tackle if elected.

The former councillor with the Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ), Abbas Salimi Azmi, 43, said he wants to teach residents to help themselves and take control of their lives.

Calling it "Melestari Komuniti", Abbas said that he hoped to carry out programmes that will enhance community participation to create a safer, cleaner and more comfortable neighborhood.

“I will engage with the residents' associations, the Kawasan Rukun Tetangga (KRT) groups and NGOs to equip them with the programmes that can help enhance their lives,’’ he said.

“As a former councillor in charge of traditional villages like Kampung Sri Aman, Kampung Tengah, Kampung Batu 13, Kampung Sg Baru, there are many from the older generation living there who could use the right help and services,’’ Abbas added.

Apart from empowering the community, he also hopes to work with local authorities to improve and upgrade the infrastructure in the area which is in a state of disrepair.

“Poor roads and drainage system, and even waste management are all tied with the bigger issues of flash flood which I hope to look into,’’ he said.

Abbas also pledged to ensure that places of worship of all faiths were properly maintained for the comfort of residents.

On land matters which have been an issue in some villages in the area, Abbas said the state has spent a lot of money in Seri Serdang trying to solve land issues in Kampung Sri Aman, by carrying out surveys and some of the villagers will be getting the Borang 5A soon.

Borang 5A means that villagers will be a step closer in securing their land titles.

“Dr Siti Mariah (incumbent assemblyman) has done a lot of work in helping the villagers here secure their land titles, and we have solved many land issues, barring a few complicated ones,'' he said, adding he will carry on the work if elected.

The Sri Serdang state seat comes under the Puchong parliamentary constituency. For the Aug 12 state polls, Abbas will be contesting against Mohd Shukor Mustaffa, 54, from Perikatan Nasional-Bersatu and Amir Abd Hadi, 32, from Muda.