In Semenyih, voter apathy gives both BN and Perikatan mountain to climb before election day

SEMENYIH, Aug 5 — Semenyih might see a low turnout for the state election next week, as residents appeared jaded and uninterested in the candidates and parties vying for their support.

With the Perikatan Nasional coalition needing a high turnout among Malay voters to stand a chance of winning Selangor, the indifference seen in the seat where over three in four voters were Malay could be a concern.

Still, the situation was also not optimistic for the Barisan Nasional coalition challenging for the seat, as those who said the vote appeared to favour PN.

Sukman 53, a disappointed constituent, expresses his dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s alleged failure to fulfil his promises, Beranang, August 1, 2023. — Picture By Raymond Manuel

Former army officer turned goreng pisang vendor Sukman, 52, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim made promises before the 15th general election last year but many went unfulfilled.

Sukman, who has been living in Semenyih since 2002, said during the movement control order (MCO), Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration appeared to have performed better.

“He (Anwar) better just be in the Opposition bench. I feel he has not been a good leader, but if you ask me who to pick, I don’t care. It’s all the same. Think about it, before this they said they will drop fuel prices, but now, nothing dropped, everything is going up; only rainfall dropping!

“People like us, as long as we can earn a living, we’re happy, if we can’t operate, what will we do? So, I’ll focus on what’s important for me,” he said.

Mohd Nizam 49, a local resident at Beranang, expressed his distress over the escalating crime rates and the influx of foreigners in the area, August 1, 2023. — Picture By Raymond Manuel

For married couple Nor Farhanah, 38 and Mohd Nizam, 49 there has been an anecdotal increase in crime here.

Their roadside stall was ransacked several times where the robbers stole their gas tanks, cooking utensils, and other items kept at the shop.

“Around Bandar Tasik Kesuma there has been a large influx of foreigners. Crime increased too and we were not spared.

“With the elections coming to be honest we are not really thinking about it. We don’t know who the candidates are, not sure what they’re about their character and so on,” Nizam said when met.

“So, for us, it’s just about looking out for ourselves,” he said.

Abdul Naser Mohd Salleh, 52, openly expresses his preference for Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s leadership. — Picture By Raymond Manuel

Further down in Beranang, Abdul Naser Mohd Salleh, 52, said he moved to Semenyih five years ago from Sunway because there was a lot of crime happening there.

“I was a musician and was always outstation. Left my wife at home but there was so much crime my wife was afraid to go out, so we decided to move to Semenyih.

“I feel Perikatan Nasional would be my choice. I opened a sundry shop during the MCO and struggled to pay the rent. Muhyiddin’s aid of around RM3,000 actually reached me and it was a big help.

“That’s why I’ll choose PN,” he said.

When pressed about PN being a party focused on Malay-Muslims, Naser disagreed.

He said PN welcomed all races.

“I think in three to five years, Anwar will be better for us, he is very clever, but for now, he’s not helping the rakyat. Look at chicken prices, more than RM20 for a whole one.

“Before it was RM12 to RM13. So, I feel PN will be better for the short term,” he said when met.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin discusses manifesto points in a post-announcement dialogue session at a hotel in Shah Alam, August 4, 2023. The PN chairman has said that his coalition could capture Selangor if 90 per cent of Malay voters cast their ballots on August 12. — Picture By Raymond Manuel

“Also people don’t have money to spend, everyone’s tight with their money, and spending power is low. Don’t be surprised if PN wins though. My neighbour is an Indian and he said he will vote for PN as well because of all the reasons I just said,” he added.

PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has said that his coalition could capture Selangor if 90 per cent of Malay voters cast their ballots on August 12.

This figure is unlikely to be reached as state elections typically have turnouts of no more than 75 per cent.

One of the densest places in Semenyih is the People’s Housing Projects (PPR) at Fasa 6 in Bandar Tasek Kesuma.

Right opposite the PPR is an abandoned row of shop lots, which residents told Malay Mail was abandoned and being used by drug addicts and squatters every day.

The area had a strong stench of garbage and has become uninhabitable.

Malay Mail met Simon who collects scrap metal from broken electrical parts and disassembles them to extract precious metals like copper to sell in the second-hand market.

Simon said it is crucial to look after the interests and welfare of non-Muslims and non-Malays. — Picture By Raymond Manuel

Simon said the area had been abandoned for 22 years and people were dumping their rubbish all over the place, including on the streets.

Drug addicts would frequent the place turning it into a dangerous place at night.

“I’ve had to use my own money to clear the place of all the rubbish but it’s the reality of the situation. This place had been forgotten.

“You say there is an election coming and who do we want to support? Who’s tossing up the money? That’s the group to support la,” he said in jest.

Asked why he stays there despite it being so dangerous he said he had no choice as he needs the money and he had people depending on him as well.

“Nowhere else to go. What I know is as far as the clearing of rubbish and clean up, the state or district has subcontracted it to someone else. This person’s using foreigners to work the routes.

“In the end, people in power must do their work don’t make us come and beg. Lots of Indian families around 60, 70 families became hardcore poor during the MCO. Can you imagine how many Malay families are suffering?

In 2019, BN unexpectedly wrested Semenyih from Pakatan Harapan (PH) during the by-election then, even though the latter was the federal government at the time and had already governed Selangor for over a decade. — Picture By Raymond Manuel

“What would be ideal is if those representatives of ours don’t look at race when deciding who to help. We’re all suffering,” he added.

In 2019, BN unexpectedly wrested Semenyih from Pakatan Harapan (PH) during the by-election then, even though the latter was the federal government at the time and had already governed Selangor for over a decade.

The Semenyih by-election was Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s (PPBM) first test after the 14th general election.

BN’s Zakaria Hanafi defeated PH candidate Muhammad Aiman Zainali with a majority of 1,914 votes in a race that PAS made way for BN. Semenyih had a healthy voter turnout at about 73 per cent, the highest of all by-elections since the May 9 general election.

This time, the candidates are Hulu Langat Umno’s women’s division chief Wan Zulaika Anua and PN’s Nushi Mahfodz.

None of the people Malay Mail spoke to even knew either candidate’s names.

(From left) Sathish, 22, Rajakogulan, 22, and Hari Devan said regardless of the change in leadership, security problems persist and the number of foreign residents continues to rise, fuelling apprehension among locals. — Picture By Raymond Manuel

Upon walking through the PPR, Malay Mail found three young voters: Raja Kogulan, 22, Hari Devan, 21 and Satish, 22.

Hari Devan said he preferred PH because he was unsure of PN’s support for non-Malays and non-Muslims.

They complained that their area was being overpopulated by foreigners and facing rampant theft.

“My dad’s 10-tonnne truck got stolen in 2013, a huge truck parked right there at 11.30am,” pointing to a very tiny road beside a playground in the middle of the residency.

“People are doing hard drugs outside, in the open. So, when we have these sorts of issues, how can we bother worrying about an election?

“Things are so bad theft-wise that we have to take our bikes up the stairs to park them inside our tiny homes for fear of someone stealing it,” he said when met at the playground.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim delivers his keynote address at Beranang during the Ceramah Kita Selangor, August 1, 2023. — Picture by Raymond Manuel

“We also don’t feel there’s much on offer for people like us hence whoever comes or is voted in I guess it’ll still be the same thing over and over again,” said Haridevan.

Kogulan, on the other hand, said he would probably put a vote for PH, but still needed convincing.

“Things keep getting worse, we just hope for a better future and a good person who really wants to help rather than talk,” he said.

A 72-year-old lady named Hanis said she is undecided about polling day.

The grandmother of six said she knows that both candidates are Malay Muslims but did not know their names nor what they are offering to the people.

When asked if she would vote for PN because it was more in line with her religion, she disagreed.

BN Semenyih candidate Wan Zulaikha Anua attends the Ceramah Jelajah Perpaduan, Tapak Pasar Malam Bandar Tasik Kesuma in Beranang. — Picture By Raymond Manuel

“I assess a person’s performance by results. Until now I’m undecided about who to choose as I don’t feel any urgency to choose. All the same right these people? Say one thing do nothing,” she said.

The same goes for Anis Sharnmeen, 23, a mother to a five-year-old boy and a housewife.

She approached Malay Mail when we were talking to Hanis and agreed that there was no urgency to choose now.

“I may not even turn up,” said Anis.

“Things are ok now I feel, I’m content but I know we have a duty to vote. However, it all seems pointless sometimes.

“Better stay at home and watch TV,” she said.

The state elections will take place on August 12 with early voting on August 8.