TAKING back Hulu Selangor is a matter of pride for PKR, which first won the seat by a handful of votes in 2008 but lost it two years later in a by-election.

Now, Leow Hsiad Hui, a popular local councillor, who has been serving the area for eight years, is tasked with taking down the Barisan Nasional incumbent, caretaker deputy education minister and MIC leader P. Kamalanathan.

The Hulu Selangor District Council (MDHS) member believes her edge is the work she has done for all races in the federal seat.

Better known as “Puan June” or “Miss June” to locals, she has successfully helped communities secure places of worship and allocations for vernacular schools.

“In the last eight years, I have helped people here apply to get land for Indian temples, mosques, Chinese temples and churches.

“I have also fought for state allocations for various groups. The highest amount of funds, RM100,000, went to an Indian temple. I also helped a school obtain RM300,000,” she said.

On her walkabouts at Indian temples and night markets, people are seen thanking her for her work.

“The advantage that I have is that I have worked with the three major races here,” said Leow, who has lived in Hulu Selangor for more than 22 years.

She also has a good following among youth in the area as chairman and adviser of various clubs focusing on welfare, youth development and women’s activities.

“I’m the adviser of clubs like the Gerakan Belia Bersatu Malaysia (in Bukit Sentosa) to promote youth activities. I’m also the women’s chief for Kelab Muhibbah in Rasa and the Ai Xin volunteers club in Bukit Sentosa.”

Housing and access to higher education are the main issues in Hulu Selangor.

“Hulu Selangor is a low-middle income area, people can’t afford to move out and study.

“From my experience as a local councillor, people have been asking for a polytechnic school here and the population is now more than 200,000.”

In 2008, PKR’s Zainal Abidin Ahmad won the seat, becoming a giant-slayer by 198 votes, defeating then MIC president G. Palanivel. 

But in 2010, BN’s Kamalanathan took the seat back for the ruling coalition by 1,725 votes.

In GE14, Leow will be facing a four-cornered fight between Kamalanathan, Wan Mat Wan Sulaiman (PAS) and independent candidate, Kumar S. Paramasivam.

The 100,990 voters here comprise of 61% Malay, Chinese (21%) and Indian (16%). – May 2, 2018.