ONLY 32km south of Kuala Lumpur sits Semenyih, once a sleepy town, as evident by its name derived from the Malay word for quiet: sembunyi.

Once filled with rubber trees, economic activities here have since diversified to include fruit orchards, eco-tourism and small-sized industrial activities.

But while its recent growth and development have boosted local infrastructure and property prices, these have also invited an influx of foreign workers, whom locals said have created unfair competition for their small traders.

It is this issue that many locals said they planned to raise with the candidates of the coming by-election.

Thinesh, who runs a shop selling alcoholic beverages, said there are about 10 unlicensed food stalls run by migrant workers near his shop, including the unit next to his.

“I decided to open a business and continue my family trade instead of working as an engineer because the pay offered to me was low, about RM1,800 a month,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“By doing business, I can earn between RM15,000 and RM20,000 a month. I work 17 hours a day without leave and now, I have to compete with migrant workers.”

The Semenyih by-election is on March 2 and has been called due to the death of its incumbent, Bakhtiar Mohd Nor, 57, from a heart attack on January 11.

In the 14th general election, Bakhtiar, who was also Bersatu’s Hulu Langat division chief, defeated Johan Abdul Aziz of Barisan Nasional, who was the incumbent for the last two terms. He had also defeated Mad Shahmiour Mad Kosim (PAS) and S. Arutchelvan (PSM).

PAS has decided to sit out this by-election, choosing instead to work with Umno to campaign for the Malay party’s candidate.

Besides the migrant workers issue, locals, especially traders, are hoping that the cost of acquiring a business licence, which they claimed is among the highest in Selangor, can be lowered.

A trader needs to pay at least RM90 for a spot, excluding payments to volunteers and organisers of the site.

Anuar Hussain Mohd Din, 48, said he used two spots to run his stalls at seven night markets.

“For one year, I have to pay about RM2,000 to the Kajang Municipal Council for the licence. We hope the council can reconsider this (price). We do not mind the organiser, but reduce (the price) if possible,” Anuar said, referring to the middlemen between the traders and local authorities who run the markets.

“I do business in Subang. I pay RM108 a year and in KL, only RM102 a year. I pay the most here,” said the bread seller.

Lean times

Anuar, who is also the market’s chief trader, said he was apprehensive about raising prices at his stalls for fear of losing customers.

“Twelve years ago, I could sell sausage buns for RM1 each, now, I sell it for RM1.50 only. We are selling at a night market, so people won’t buy it if it’s too expensive. They will just go to a bakery,” said the father of two.

From his sales, Anuar is only able to pay for basic necessities and every month, he has to postpone paying some bills.

“According to the agreement, I had to finish paying off my car last September, but I could not settle the payment until now. There is always an outstanding bill every month that I cannot pay,” said Anuar, who earns between RM3,000 and RM4,500 a month.

Ahead of Ramadan last year, Anuar said he paid RM600 a month for a spot at a bazaar, among the most expensive charges imposed by a Selangor local council.

“I pawned my wife’s jewellery to pay for the spot and the cost to run my business at the Ramadan bazaar,” he said.

Anuar said he also hoped that programmes planned by the former assemblyman would be continued by his successor.

“I planned a lot with him previously. We planned to open a modern market to help Malay traders. There was also a youth entrepreneurship programme.

“But his fate is only until here. We hope his successor will continue the programmes because they were good plans.”

His friend, Shaharudin Osman, 52, said Bakhtiar was often see on the ground looking into the people’s issues over the past eight months, just as his predecessor Johan did.

He said it did not matter whether the elected representative is from BN or PH, as long as whoever won served the constituency well.

“They were both good. We do not look at the flags, but the elected representatives’ performance. Johan was helpful to the people in Semenyih, same for Bakhtiar.

“Bakhtiar previously worked for Johan, so his administration pattern was similar to Johan’s. There was no issue there.”

The Semenyih by-election will be the fourth fight for a state seat to be held in Selangor post-GE14, after Sg Kandis, Seri Setia and Balakong, which were all won by Pakatan Harapan. – January 28, 2019.