In Hulu Kelang, state election race takes on class characteristics

GOMBAK, Aug 11 — The campaign for the Hulu Kelang seat here has exposed the economic disparity in the community, with the two coalitions appealing to different social classes of voters for the crucial Selangor state election tomorrow.

On one side, Pakatan Harapan (PH) and its campaigners have settled in among the more affluent sections of the constituency, particularly in Melawati that remains one of the coalition’s more robust sources of support.

On the other, Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali has been intensifying his overture towards voters in the more working-class parts of the seat, such as Keramat.

Yusof Haq said he was after leadership that would nurture the country’s harmony and unity. — Picture by Firdaus Latif

In the heart of Melawati, a 26-year-old resident named Yusof Haq firmly expressed his intention to vote for PH’s Juwairiya Zulkifli, unmoved by the race-laden narrative that Azmin’s coalition offers.

Saying he did not believe that divisive communal politics was still relevant, Yusof said he was after leadership that would nurture the country’s harmony and unity.

“Everything about Malay and Bumiputera rights has been safeguarded and loudly represented in the Federal Constitution.

“There is no need to frighten the voters about how the Malays are being threatened by the very existence of our fellow Malaysians that we all grew up together with in school, universities or even workplaces,” he told Malay Mail in an interview yesterday.

Pakatan Harapan candidate for Hulu Kelang seat Juwairiya Zulkifli speaks during Grand Finale Kita Selangor election campaign ahead of the upcoming Selangor state election in AU2 Taman Keramat, August 10, 2023. — Picture by Firdaus Latif

When asked if his peers shared the same values and aspirations, Yusof expressed confidence that those in his circle were not influenced by PN’s focus on Malay voters for its campaign.

Prior to the interview with Yusof, Malay Mail joined Juwairiya as she addressed the residents of Taman Warisan in Melawati, in a final push before polling tomorrow.

There, Juwairiya agreed that there were still parts of seat that were hard for her to win over, saying this was clear from both her recent interactions with voters as well as historical polling statistics.

“Taman Melawati, based on the data and the results of last few elections, is a safe-territory for PH.

Aini Talib, 50, said there were supporters of both camps in the flats in Keramat. — Picture by Firdaus Latif

“However, in Keramat, there are still grey and black areas for the coalition, mostly from the lower income groups and pensioners,” she said, referring to the colour-scheme that represents a particular area’s attitude towards the candidate, with black being the least favourable.

However, Juwairiya said she has received valuable assistance from unity pact partner, Barisan Nasional, in reaching voters in these more difficult areas.

Further into Keramat, Malay Mail spoke to two residents of low-cost flats, which were about 3km from Melawati, as they waited for deliveries.

Zaini Anuar and Aini Talib, both 50, said there were supporters of both camps in their flats.

Hafizan Hassan, 37, said he was still weighing how to vote tomorrow. — Picture by Firdaus Latif

“I think that the residents of this flat are pretty much split, as those who live in the front blocks are supporting PH, while those who live at the back support PN. But mostly the ones that I talked to said they are still split about the vote,” Aini told Malay Mail.

Another voter, 37-year-old Hafizan Hassan, also told Malay Mail he was still weighing how to vote tomorrow, but said the eventual victor must serve the constituency as best possible and ensure that the bread-and-butter issues affecting its residents were addressed.

“I’m still deliberating on my vote but whoever wins this Saturday must come up with the best solution to overcome the issues like cost of living especially in an urban area like Gombak,” he said, before rushing off to collect his child from school.

Added attention fell on Hulu Kelang after Azmin chose to contest here instead of Bukit Antarabangsa where he is the incumbent.

Flats in Melawati show divided support for PH and PN as seen by the election posters. — Picture by Firdaus Latif