GOMBAK – Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) candidate for Hulu Kelang intends to push for completion of the Package D44 project for Sewerage Pipe Network Construction in Jalan Enggang, Taman Keramat, which has been stalled in the past seven years.
Juwairiya Zulkifli said she has identified several issues in the constituency, especially the delay in upgrading the sewerage system, which has been the bane of residents.
“I admit that I cannot guarantee when the problem will be solved, but I am confident that it can be solved at least by the end of this year,” she said. Juwairiya is also the current Selangor menteri besar’s political secretary.
It is understood that the D44 project has received an extension of time (EOT) until November despite assurances given to several residents associations in Hulu Kelang that the main contractor would complete it last year.
However, industry insiders have informed The Vibes that there is a possibility that Puncak Niaga Construction (PNC) may be given another EOT for several sites in Jalan Enggang, “gauging by the sluggish progress of late.”
In December 2021, Taman Melawati residents took to the streets to air their grievances, voicing their frustrations with the project and allegedly repeated empty promises by PNC and the Sewerage Services Department (JPP) as the original completion date was February 2018.
Juwairiya was assemblyman of the adjacent constituency of Bukit Melawati in the Selangor assembly’s last term.
She said that the stalled sewerage project had become a daily inconvenience to Hulu Kelang residents including those in Juwairiya’s neighbourhood of AU5 Lembah Keramat.
She said since the PH coalition is running Putrajaya, and in the event she is elected as assemblyman in the upcoming Selangor polls, she would keep close watch with JPP and the Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Ministry (NRECC) to see the project to completion.
“I have also discussed the unresolved issues in Hulu Kelang with Datuk Amirudin Shari and we are determined to solve it with the responsible ministry,” she said, adding that she will be announcing her political mission and agendas next week.
She said, as a native of the area and a former Bukit Melawati assemblyman, it will also provide her with an advantage to approach the people with her experience.
“The strategy I will use throughout the campaign period is to try to please as many people as possible, especially women and youth.
“I am also hoping that I can receive the support of the ladies and young voters since women represent 49% of Hulu Kelang voters.”
While admitting that her opponent Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, a former Selangor menteri besar, has a lot of experience as former assemblyman and MP of the area, Juwariyah said that she was prepared to work harder than her former boss.
“Putting me here against the former Selangor MB is a massive stamp of approval from the party and I will do my best to bring victory.”
The PH candidate will face Azmin, who represents Perikatan Nasional in the state election on August 12.
During nomination day last Saturday, she had described Azmin as her former boss. She had been his protege when he was deputy president of PKR. She had also worked with him in 2010 when he was the Gombak MP and Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman.
Asked about over 20 areas considered as black areas or PN strongholds, Juwairiya said: “At the moment, we are focusing on the grey and white areas.”
“We are definitely working closely with local residents and Barisan Nasional’s (BN) election machinery.
“PH’s allies in BN have their own strengths and I will take this opportunity to work with them to capture these areas.
“I prefer to personally meet the people, rather than relying a lot on ‘ceramah’ since such events are normally attended by our own supporters. So, I feel it is much better if I meet the people on the fence, so that they know and accept my presence,” she added. – The Vibes, August 1, 2023
