AS the dust from the recent state elections begins to settle, Seri Kembangan assemblymen Wong Siew Ki is already mapping out solutions for a problem she identified during her campaign in her constituency of 62,822 voters.

The Selangor DAP publicity secretary said many people are unaware of the state’s various welfare assistance programmes, likely because the offers have not been effectively communicated to the public.

“This has resulted in many Selangor voters being unaware of the welfare assistance they are eligible for,” she said.

Wong added that inadequate communication has also left the people uninformed about ongoing development projects and the overall direction of the state.

“We need to improve communication to ensure our actions reach the public. Otherwise, what’s the point of performing well?” she told The Malaysian Insight.

“Communication needs strengthening, and this is something I will focus on.”

Pakatan Harapan (PH) held on to Selangor but conceded 22 seats to Perikatan Nasional (PN). PH had won a supermajority of 51 of the 56 state seats in 2018.

In the Seri Kembangan constituency, Wong defeated Ken Liau (PN) and Independent candidate Wong Jung Lik, who both lost their deposits after they failed to gain at least 5,000 votes.

Wong said the inroads PN has managed to make into Selangor is a wake-up call for PH. She urged PH representatives to be more vigilant about the opposition’s actions.

She said some PH elected representatives could have become complacent after their coalition won the state for three consecutive terms.

“The current situation challenges us to step out of our comfort zone and move forward with greater dedication.”

Apart from fulfilling their election promises, Wong said PH lawmakers must work to attract high-quality investments and create high-income job opportunities.

Two-term Rawang assemblyman Chua Wei Kiat of PKR said the elections marked a positive beginning for the nascent PH-BN pact.

The state elections was a chance to evaluate not only leadership-level collaboration but also grassroots cooperation, he added

Having secured a new mandate, Chua said the state government must focus on delivering its promises over the next five years.

“During the past 15 years of governing Selangor, I consider the state’s performance to be excellent. However, there’s a difference between the past and the present,” he said.

Chua said that prior to 2014, Selangor was an opposition state. Despite the lack of federal cooperation, Selangor had managed to serve its people through its own efforts.

With the state and federal governments now aligned, Chua said Selangor must do better.

“Both Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari are from the same party, PKR. This understanding will foster better cooperation, and I believe it can significantly improve the state’s economy and development.”

Chua said the state and federal governments must focus on creating more high-income jobs, which he deemed to be the best gift for the people.

In Negri Sembilan, DAP representative Nicole Tan Lee Koon, who successfully defended her Bukit Kepayang seat, also emphasised the need to revive the sluggish economy and create more jobs.

Tan said a strong economy and more job opportunities would boost support for the unity government.

“At present, people feel that the government has not been of much help to them.”

Tan said the Negri Sembilan government must start delivering its campaign promises, which span the economy, investments, basic infrastructure, education, human resources, and a harmonious society.

“We haven’t made empty promises. We are confident of delivering what we pledged in our election manifesto,” the DAP assemblyman said.

“We need to show the voters that we can fulfil our pledges.”

Like in Selangor, PN has also gained ground in Negri Sembilan. Prior to the elections, neither Bersatu nor PAS had a seat in the state assembly. However, they managed to secure five seats in the recent polls.