Residents want balanced urban planning to mitigate effects of development
Puteri Wangsa is considered one of Johor Baru’s key residential and commercial hubs, but many residents say better infrastructure and urban planning are needed.
Businessman Lim Kok Thye said Puteri Wangsa’s rapid development had come at a heavy cost.
“One of the consequences is flash floods, which occur every year during the rainy season.
“I hope a long-term solution can be found,” said Lim, who has lived in Setia Indah for over 20 years.
Rapid development, particularly around Taman Mount Austin, he said, had also worsened traffic congestion as road infrastructure had not kept pace.
“There have been many new housing developments, but the roads are too narrow,” he said.
Lim also hopes whoever is elected as the next assemblyman will be accessible to residents, and not just during elections.
“For matters that are not under the assemblyman’s jurisdiction, we hope that he or she can help us reach the right agencies or ministries,” he said.
Trader Suhaini Mat Isa also cited worsening traffic congestion caused by dense population.
“Congestion sometimes occurs even during off-peak hours.
“There are also areas with poor road conditions and malfunctioning street lamps that need attention,” said Suhaini, who has lived in the constituency for about 30 years.
He hopes the next assemblyman will actively engage with residents, saying: “There are many issues that cannot be solved by an assemblyman because some fall under the MP or federal agencies.
“However, the most important thing is to be approachable.”
Suhaini said that the assemblymen so far had maintained a visible presence in the constituency, and he hopes this tradition will continue.
“I hope the next representative will continue meeting the people regularly and be someone residents can easily reach whenever issues arise,” he said.
Public relations practitioner Muhammad Ariff Mohamad Nizam said Puteri Wangsa had undergone rapid development over the years, particularly in Bandar Dato’ Onn and Taman Mount Austin.
“While this growth presents significant economic opportunities, it must be guided by integrated urban planning to prevent worsening traffic congestion, excessive population density and unsustainable land use.
“Future development should therefore strike a balance between urban expansion, industrial growth and environmental sustainability,” he said.
Muhammad Ariff said the next assemblyman should possess the ability to formulate sound, evidence-based public policies at state level that create meaningful and lasting benefits for constituents.
“This is more important than just receiving and forwarding public grievances,” he said.
Journalist C. Vinoothene, who works in Kuala Lumpur, said one of the most pressing issues was the growing monkey population, which she believes is linked to development and land clearing.
“The monkeys enter residential neighbourhoods, rummaging through rubbish and creating a mess,” said Vinoothene, whose family lives in the constituency.
She said the situation had worsened, with residents having to take extra precautions when disposing of their household waste.
“If a bag of rubbish is left outside even for a few hours, the monkeys will come and scatter it everywhere,” said Vinoothene.
She also expressed concern over illegal dumping, poorly maintained public spaces and potholes caused by heavy vehicles using residential roads as shortcuts.
“I hope whoever is elected will focus on improving the area’s upkeep and ensuring Puteri Wangsa remains a pleasant place,” said Vinoothene.
Puteri Wangsa has some 128,723 voters, making it the constituency with the second-highest number of voters in Johor.
A total of 51.46% of the urban seat’s voters are Chinese, 35.83% (Malays), 10.07% (Indians) and 2.64% other races.
The state seat was first contested during the 11th General Election in 2004.
Regarded as a hot seat, it saw a five-cornered fight during GE14 in 2018 and six-cornered fight in the previous state election in March 2022.
Muda’s Amira Aisya Abd Aziz won the seat with a 7,114-vote majority against Ng Yew Aik from Barisan Nasional (MCA), with the other candidates being Loh Kah Yong from Perikatan Nasional (Gerakan), Steven Choong Shiau Yoon from Parti Bangsa Malaysia, Khairil Anwar Razali from Gerakan Tanah Air (Parti Pejuang Tanah Air) and Independent candidate Adzrin Adam.
The seat is set to see a five-cornered fight between Muda’s Rashifa Aljunied, Barisan’s Teow Chia Ling, Pakatan Harapan’s Dr Maszlee Malik, Parti Bersama Malaysia’s Nicholas Paul Vincent and Independent candidate Wang Wee Siong.
