IT is not unusual to see Jalan Haji Salleh in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur, packed from day to night, but this morning saw more activity than usual, as a crowd of motorcyclists gathered to take advantage of a petrol giveaway.

The giveaway was organised by Federal Territories Umno Youth in the Batu parliamentary constituency, which claimed that it was not an attempt at fishing for votes.

The branch’s deputy chief, Mohd Nisham Abd Hamid, told The Malaysian Insight that the free petrol programme was initiated six years ago when the cost of living started rising.

In 2016, Putrajaya abolished subsidies for RON 95 fuel and diesel, and replaced them with a managed float system dependent on global crude oil prices.

The 36-year-old Nisham said the free petrol programme had been held once a month, at a cost of between RM30,000 and RM40,000, over the past year.

“Since last year, we have spent up to RM40,000 supplying free petrol to about 500 motorcyclists at each location.

“Each motorcyclist would get RM5 worth of petrol,” he said, adding that RM7 was needed for a full tank for a normal, small cc-ed motorcycle.

Because of this, it is no wonder that hundreds of motorcyclists descended on the Petron station in Jalan Haji Salleh from 9.30am to 11.30am.

Nisham said today, about 700 motorcyclists claimed the free petrol.

“There were a lot of people today, and some even topped up with their own money to get a full tank.”

Welfare constituency?

Nisham said the free petrol programme always did well in Jalan Haji Salleh, not only because it was on a main road in Sentul, but also because it was in the Batu parliamentary constituency, home to the largest number of People’s Housing Programme (PPR) projects in the Federal Territory.

There were also many villages in Sentul, he said, where Batu Umno targeted a lot of its welfare programmes.

“Batu is home to the most number of PPR homes and villages because most of its residents are low- and middle-income earners.

“That is why, if you look at our programmes, many of them comprise fuel giveaways, free haircuts and school assistance.

“We also have Jom Bantu Rakyat programmes, and give away basic necessities, like oil and sugar. This morning and tomorrow, we have a Jualan Sentuhan Rakyat programme.”

Lacklustre leader

Nisham said hardships endured by Batu folk were not being alleviated by MP Chua Tian Chang, better known as Tian Chua.

“The MP here does not take care of his own area, so Umno and Umno Youth are here to help out.

“It’s not just that many residents are low-income earners, but the area is riddled with social ills, such as snatch thefts, house break-ins and drug abuse.”

He said Umno Youth in Batu was aware of the problems faced by residents, and the urgent need to resolve them.

“We want to change people’s perception of Umno Youth, to be seen not only as the impetus of change, but also the safeguard of the future,” said Nisham, who was involved in the 1998-99 student reform movement, but later returned to Umno.

“Umno Youth does not focus so much on national issues, such as the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal, because we don’t know the truth.

“We are focused on resolving real problems faced by regular folk. Bigger issues may involve wealthy people, who have homes in London and whatnot, but we are trying to help the people here who are just trying to get through the day.” – January 20, 2018.