Datuk Dr. Jacob George, President of the Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam, Selangor has even called upon the Selangor State Ruler (Sultan) to appoint a Royal task force to ensure that this water problem is solved once and for all.
The article below highlights the plight of residents of Taman Medan due to the recent water disruption and this could result in the Selangor state constituency of Taman Medan changing hands after the upcoming 14th General Elections expected to be held in April or May 2018, and in August at the latest.
The Taman Medan constituency includes my part of Section 14 Petaling Jaya , as well as older, less affluent parts of Petaling Jaya, including areas with a high concentration of low-cost flats. Taman Medan also is a marginal seat, where our State Assemblywoman, Dr. Haniza Talhar won Taman Medan by a slim majority of 3,731 votes out of a total of 37,514 valid votes in the 2013 general elections, versus her opponent from the Barisan Nasional. In the 2008 general elections, Dr. Haniza of the PKR (People's Justice Party), a member of the Pakatan Harapan (Pact of Hope political pact), won Taman Medan with 4,433 votes out of a total of 29,173 valid votes, thus capturing Taman Medan from the Barisan Nasional.
Now with 11,000 families alone in the Flat Cahaya complex in Taman Medan being adversely affected by the recent prolonged water disruption, GE14 could see Taman Medan fall back to the Barisan Nasional, especially since these lower income voters tend to vote Barisan Nasional.
Also, in the past two general elections, PAS (Pan Malaysian Islamic Party) was a part of the Pakatan Harapan (People's Pact), so its supporters voted for the candidate from a fellow People's Pact party but now that PAS is on its own and plans to contest in three or more cornered fights in each constituency, it could well split the vote sufficiently and let the Barisan Nasional win not with a majority of votes in each constituency contested but with the largest minority of votes, for example 40%, 35% and 25% for Barisan Nasional, Pakatan and PAS respectively.
A neighbour living near to Taman Baiduru (Baiduri Gardens), tells me that PAS has a sizeable support base in that part of Taman Medan, and with PAS now out of the pact, they would most likely vote for PAS, which may well not win but could split the vote sufficiently to let Barisan Nasional win.
The StarMetro article referred to follows:-
Yours truly
Selangor Scheiss
http://selangorscheiss.blogspot.my/
thestar.com.my
Extended water cut fraying tempers - Metro News
by sheila sri priyaTHE prolonged water disruption has led to calls for a royal task force to be set up for a permanent solution to the issue.
Consumers Association of Subang and Shah Alam, Selangor president Datuk Dr Jacob George said politics should be put aside in addressing the matter and the best way to do so was to have a task force appointed by the Selangor Ruler.
“People are suffering and businesses are facing losses.
“With a royal task force in place, there will be a proper time line and every one will be answerable,” he said.
Residents making a beeline to gather water from Syabas tankers in AU Keramat, Kuala Lumpur.
Forced to shut
Several restaurants in SS15 Subang Jaya have closed following the water cut with more to follow suit over the weekend.
SS15 Business Community Representative Datuk Samson Maman said business owners had no other choice as they were in the dark about when water supply would resume.
“The disruption was meant to only last two or three days but now that it has been prolonged, it is causing uneasiness among residents and business owners.
“Businesses cannot be closed for a week as we have to pay full salary to our staff whether or not we are making sales, but we are left with no choice as we are not getting a clear word on when water supply will resume or even when the water tankers will be making their rounds,” he said.
Samson added that offices and construction sites were also affected.
He suggested that Syarikat Bekalan Air Sdn Bhd (Syabas) sell affordable water containers to ease the public’s burden.
“Each time there is a water cut, people rush to buy containers to store water and the price sky rockets.
“Syabas should sell the containers at cost price, as part of their outreach effort,” he said.
Massage centre operator Joyce Lee, who runs her shop in Jalan PJS 8/2 in Sunway Mentari, said her business was badly affected as the toilets were not usable and water tankers were not sent to the area.
“We cannot go on without water for more than two days. Water tankers must be sent to business areas too,” she said.
Struggles of young and disabled
In Petaling Jaya Selatan, children stayed awake until the wee hours of the morning to help their parents collect water from the Syabas tankers.
Barisan National Taman Medan National Development assistant coordinator Datuk Abdul Mutalif Abdul Rahim helped with water distribution in the area until 2am yesterday.
“I spoke to a Year Five girl who told me she had a test to sit for the next morning.
“This shouldn’t be the case. The pupil should be asleep instead of worrying if her family will have enough water the next day,” he said.
He said Flat Cahaya in Taman Medan, Petaling Jaya, alone had close to 11,000 families.
One of the families was unable to collect water from the tanker due to disabilities and Abdul Mutalif ensured water was delivered to their home on the third floor of the low-cost flat.
Bottled water and containers selling like hot cakes during the water cut in Taman Medan, Petaling Jaya.
“The husband and wife are deaf and dumb and they have a physically disabled child.
“Unlike the abled, they need assistance during a crisis like this.
“All these matters should be considered when aid is provided. Not every one is able to line up and wait for long hours to fetch water,” he said.
He added that schools in the Taman Medan area were affected and help should be channelled to such places.
Mutalif said the Selangor government should focus on basic needs such as water, security and cleanliness.
“My phone has been flooded with text messages and I am receiving non stop calls from residents asking us to help send water tanks.
“We will be going around Taman Medan daily until this Sunday to help distribute water and I hope supply resumes by then,” he said.
Meanwhile, residents from SS7 in Kelana Jaya are heading to the nearby mosque to get water but they fear there will be a shortage today due to Friday prayers.
SS7 Lenggok Golf Residents Association president Datuk Zul Mukhshal Md Shaari said he sympathised with those running small businesses.
“The lady who sells nasi lemak by the roadside here is upset as the water cut issue is affecting her livelihood. I feel sorry for these small-time traders,” he said.
The nine One-Stop Service Centres set up by Air Selangor (see table) will continue operating around the clock until water supply resumes. For details, visit www.syabas.com.my
https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2018/03/09/fed-up-with-stretched-water-cut-call-for-royal-task-force-to-end-woes-of-residents-and-businesses/
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