Many local residents have expressed their disapproval with PKR’s decision to vacate the Kajang state assembly seat in order to pave way for Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim to become the state representative there.

 

Residents met by Malaysiakini said that they are not clear as to what benefits the by-election will bring to them.

 

Samuri Dahlan, 57 ( left ), said he does not understand why the by-election was necessary when the previous representative, Lee Chin Cheh was still alive and healthy.

 

The restaurant operator said the Selangor government should instead focus on developing Kajang further, instead of causing another by-election.

 

“Why is there a by-election so soon? A by-election should be held only when the representative dies,” Samuri said.

 

“If it is for a personal agenda, there is no need to achieve it through a by-election. I don’t know why the previous representative resigned, but there definitely will be a waste of time and money,” he said.

 

Another Kajang voter from Taman Sungai Kantan, who wanted only to be known as Lilyzurey, said the ‘Kajang move’ was akin to playing with the mandate given by the people in the general election.

'Previous assemblyperson playing with our mandate'

 

“The previous assemblyperson is playing with our mandate. He is simply giving a chance for another person according to his own wishes,” Lilyzurey said.

 

“The sultan has approved Lee as the assemblyperson. When things like this happen, the assemblyperson must be fined. He cannot simply do this,” he added.

Rus Azlan Othman, 29 (left), from Saujana Impian, wants the vacancy to be filled immediately for the benefit of the Kajang people.

 

“I don’t know why (Lee) resigned but the vacant seat must be filled within a month. This by-election has its benefits and consequences, but if done in the nearest future, it will not be a major waste of money,” he said.

 

“If done late, we don’t have a place to voice our grouses, it is a waste of time, but even if the by-election is not done, that is a problem,” Rus Azlan said.

 

Agnes Lee, a 42-year-old housewife ( left ), is disappointed because despite voting for the first time in Kaang last May, she now has to vote again.

 

“A by-election should take place when needed. But when PKR has a by-election at this time, I don’t agree,” she said, adding that she has not decided who she will vote for.

Chen Chooi Har, 36, feels Anwar is not needed in Kajang and feels “cheated” with the political strategy to place the opposition leader there.

“I feel cheated by PKR. Lee Chin Cheh won, yet I never saw him here. People who voted for Lee on May 5 were so blinded because they wanted to reject BN,” Chen said.

 

“What they have done until now is not transparent, and I feel cheated,” he added.