JOHOR BARU – The issue of squatters and river pollution will remain high on the agenda of Steven Choong, the Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) candidate in Puteri Wangsa for the Johor election.
Choong, who is the Tebrau MP, said these two problems need to be resolved fast so that the people can enjoy a cleaner environment.
The Puteri Wangsa seat is located within the Tebrau parliamentary constituency.
“There are squatters who have been temporarily occupying Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) land for 23 years. Three-quarters of Sg Tebrau is in the Puteri Wangsa area; the river is dirty and gives a depressing feeling,” he said.
He said the squatters should be moved to new housing areas with affordable homes.
“After the squatters have been relocated, the site can be developed into a recreational area. If I am elected as assemblyman, it is easier for me to talk to the state government about handing over land to the federal government to build houses for the squatters.
“Sg Tebrau will become clean again if we settle the squatter problem in Tebrau.”
Choong, who is PBM’s vice-president, said the party would be fighting on the six-pronged “The Great Reset 2030” platform covering multi-racial power, women’s power, young people’s power, economy, education, and technology.
Choong, 64, faces a six-cornered fight with Barisan Nasional’s Tebrau MCA chief Ng Yew Aik, Perikatan Nasional’s Loh Kah Yong, Khairil Anwar Razali of Pejuang, Muda’s Amira Aisya Abd Aziz, and independent candidate Adzrin Adam.
Choong won the Tebrau seat on a PKR ticket in the 14th general election but in February 2021, confirmed that he and Julau MP Larry Sng Wei Shien of PKR had switched support to then prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Choong later joined PBM, which was registered on October 27 last year, and is one of the four candidates the party is fielding in the Johor election.
Polling for the Johor election is on March 12 and early voting is on March 8. – Bernama, March 1, 2022