BUKIT Gasing incumbent assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran is not taking any chances at the polls on August 12.  

He said despite helming the Bukit Gasing constituency for two terms, he would not underestimate his challengers.

“While I’m confident of support (from voters), I would not take anything for granted,” he told the Malaysian Insight.

Rajiv said his office has dealt with over 6,000 public complaints and suggestions over the last 10 years.

“I’m always working to improve the lives of my constituents,” he declared.

Bukit Gasing will see a three-cornered fight with Rajiv looking to secure the seat for Pakatan Harapan for the third time. 

In the last election, Rajiv won with a whopping 25,835 majority. He polled 29,366 votes while the Barisan Nasional candidate Chai Ko Thing picked up 3,531 votes, and another candidate from Ikatan, David Sew Kah Heng, received 890 votes.

The 41-year-old engineer is up against Muda’s V.K.K. Raja of Muda and Perikatan Nasional’s D. Nallan.

Among the issues that Rajiv has tackled are ensuring the area remained flood-free, subsidising the costs of organising classes and purchasing smartphones, organising events for all festivities, and providing food aid.  

He has also organised tea sessions with residents – every Wednesday from 4pm to 7.30pm – where residents can bring up complaints.

He has organised periodic free legal aid clinics to assist residents in need of legal help.

He scored points when he organised free testing for Covid-19 at the height of the pandemic.

All that should reel in the votes for the affable Rajiv, who has vowed to continue efforts to improve the lives of Bukit Gasing residents if returned to power.

First-time candidate and Bukit Gasing native V.K.K. Raja is fired up about his first electoral race.

He said the decision to contest was based on a Muda study of the constituency. 

“We believe that the residents did not have a solid choice to choose any other party besides PH. 

“We do see that there are a lot of issues that need to be fixed in the area. We need to address them.”

Among the issues, he said, were major overdevelopments.

“One example is the proposed Petaling Jaya Dispersal Link highway. The residents said they (authorities) should be focusing on urban planning instead of building the highway.” 

Shortly after the interview with Raja, the caretaker Selangor government scrapped the project.

Raja said Muda, as part of its manifesto, is pushing for local council elections.

As for challenging Rajiv, he said it was up to the residents if they wanted change.

“It’s fine as he has been serving the area for two terms but it’s a choice the residents have to make.”

Raja, 44, joined Muda in 2021 after being attracted by the party’s progressive and inclusive principles that go beyond race-based politics in Malaysia.

He has a master’s degree in business administration and a bachelor’s degree in computing from Monash University. 

Meanwhile, Nallan, 49, said one of the local issues he plans to tackle is the upgrading of facilities at Gasing Hill, which is a prominent recreational spot for hiking and other activities.

“I’m planning to emphasise having a green environment and to also convert the area into a tourist destination.”

Nallan said he is well versed in handling local government issues as he was a councillor for six years in the Ampang Jaya Municipal Council. 

“So, minor issues in MBPJ can be resolved immediately, which don’t need big budgets. 

“Bukit Gasing is a small area where issues can be solved with fast action.

“I hope voters will give me an opportunity to serve them.”– August 3, 2023.