SERI Setia voters want politicians contesting in the September 8 by-election to pay attention to the social problems in the constituency, ranging from ketum addiction to foreign workers.

They are interested in how the candidates vying for the state seat plan to resolve these problems. They are not as concerned about other issues, such as race or even development.

“If they are hardworking, the politicians can visit the Thai eateries at the parking lots of flats here.

“There are many people there every night, just hanging out and drinking ketum juice,” said Kamarul Abdullah, a voter in Section 14, Petaling Jaya.

The 54-year-old father of two said this is how people his age while away the night hours – chatting and drinking ketum juice, which is illegal.

“Around here, race is no issue. We mix around well. The problem in Seri Setia is social ills, especially in the flats and villages with migrants.”

The constituency is located in the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur. It is less than 30 minutes from the city centre, with locals having access to the Federal Highway and the Seria Setia station on the Port Klang-Sentul Komuter line.

Its people and residential areas are as diverse as they come. There are high-rise flats for the poor in Dewa Mentari, Kg Lindungan and Kg Baru Sungai Way. There are also luxury bungalows in Glenmarie for the wealthy.

Barisan Nasional’s Yusoff M. Haniff, who lost the fight for the seat in the 14th general election, said the constituency’s social problems require attention.

“It is a valley of problems. (Rising) cost of living, kids doing drugs, ketum addiction, truancy, big families living in cramped spaces, migrant workers… you get all these problems here,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

BN is sitting out of this by-election to make way for PAS. The Islamist party has named Dr Halimah Ali, formerly Selat Klang rep and Selangor education exco, as its candidate.

Recently, Selangor PAS commissioner Sallehen Mukhyi urged Seri Setia voters to reject Pakatan Harapan in the by-election, to show the government that the people did not want to be duped by empty election promises.

Seri Setia has been PKR-controlled for three terms. In 2008, the party’s young candidate, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, defeated state Wanita Umno head Seripah Noli Syed Husin to take the seat.

Nik Nazmi defended the seat in the 2013 elections, beating BN’s Abdul Halim Saat. In the May 9 general election, Nik Nazmi was moved up to contest the Setiawangsa parliamentary seat.

Seri Setia was defended by PKR’s Dr Shaharuddin Badaruddin, who won by a huge margin of more than 19,000 votes. He died of colon cancer on August 2.

Nik Nazmi said there are many low-income voters in the constituency.

To resolve the area’s problems, he said, there must be long-term plans by the authorities.

“There are many low-cost homes here. The problems have been around for years. To resolve them, the costs will be great.”

But now that the state and federal governments are on the same side, he said, he believes the task will be easier.

“Since 2008, we have built a Tamil school, mosque, community hall and many other public infrastructure. When there is a chance, we can improve on them further.

“The issues here are urban poverty, traffic jams, floods… we’ve controlled the flood problem, but there’s still much to be done because the area is densely populated.

“The new assemblyman will have a lot of work on his or her hands.”

PH has named a local, Halimey Abu Bakar of PKR, as its candidate. The 46-year-old will also be the first candidate from the pact to contest using the PH logo.

Earlier this week, Halimey said his main focus was to resolve the issue of housing for the poor in Lembah Subang.

Political analyst Azizuddin Sani said PKR will have any easy time in Seri Setia, as it is the party’s stronghold.

He said it will be tough for PAS to break PKR’s hold on the seat, even if Dr Halimah is better known to locals and previously served in the state government.

“There won’t be much change in the Seri Setia and Balakong by-elections. Voters in both seats will support the ruling party.

“The trend will be the same as that seen in the recent Sungai Kandis by-election. Voter turnout on polling day for these two seats will be low.”

The Balakong polls, pitting DAP against MCA, will be held on the same day as the Seri Setia by-election.

Election Commission data shows that Seri Setia has 52,650 voters, with 56% comprising Malays. – August 19, 2018.