Affordable homes, better infrastructure top residents’ wish list
AFFORDABLE housing, basic infrastructure upgrades and efforts to unlock tourism potential are among the key issues raised by voters in Bukit Kepong, Johor.
Home to a mix of Felda settlements, villages and small business communities, Bukit Kepong voters said they want practical solutions to the everyday issues impacting their quality of life.
Long-time residents, including Felda settlers and younger families who have returned to their hometowns, said there was a need for better facilities and economic opportunities in the largely rural constituency.
Workshop owner Mohd Sharel Faiman, 45, said the lack of affordable housing was among the pressing concerns in Bukit Kepong, especially for those who wanted to stay close to their ageing parents.
Mohd Sharel moved back to Felda Sri Jaya from Johor Baru three years ago to care for his ageing father.
“I moved back with my family and we are now living in my parents’ house, but it is quite small.
“We hope to one day own a house in Bukit Kepong so that we can stay close to them,” he said.
Mohd Sharel said expanding affordable housing options would also help retain young families in the constituency instead of them seeking homes elsewhere.
For trader Mariana Mohd Dom, 41, the issue of low water pressure was a longstanding concern among residents.
She said the problem had affected households and businesses, with residents hoping for a permanent solution.
Mariana added that reliable water supply was among the basic needs that should be prioritised to ensure residents and traders could go about their daily activities without disruption.
Meanwhile, self-employed resident Goh Zi Xuan, 47, said road conditions in parts of Bukit Kepong required improvement.
“The roads need to be upgraded because they are uneven and narrow.
“There should also be streetlights as it can otherwise be dangerous for road users,” he said.
Goh added that better infrastructure would not only improve safety but also make the constituency more attractive for residents and visitors.
Another issue raised by residents was the need to better promote the Galeri Darurat Bukit Kepong as a tourism and economic driver for the area.
Trader N. Pravin, 47, said the historical attraction had the potential to bring more visitors and benefit local businesses if it was promoted more aggressively.
“Bukit Kepong does not have many tourist attractions that are well-known.
“The gallery is the one place many people know about, so if more tourists come, it can help our local economy,” he said.
Pravin said more efforts should also be taken to organise programmes and promotions around the gallery to encourage visitors to spend more time in Bukit Kepong.
Bukit Kepong, under the Pagoh parliamentary constituency, is a rural seat in the Muar district.
Many residents here depend on small businesses, agriculture and local economic activities.
The presence of Felda communities, including Felda Sri Jaya, also means issues involving settlers, second-generation families and rural development remain important considerations among voters.
With 37,683 voters, Bukit Kepong has a predominantly Malay electorate who make up 70.31%, followed by Chinese at 25.15%, Indians at 2.64% and 1.90% from other communities.
For this election, incumbent Perikatan Nasional’s Datuk Dr Sahruddin Jamal (Bersatu) will be defending his seat in a three-cornered fight.
He will be up against Pakatan Harapan’s C. Subramani (PKR) and Barisan Nasional’s Ahmad Syar’e Yusof (Umno).
