Malaysia

GE15: free bus service for KL’s B40 if Pakatan wins, Prabakaran pledges

Batu incumbent notes success of similar service he initiated during coalition’s time in power

Updated 3 years ago · Published on 16 Nov 2022 8:00AM

GE15: free bus service for KL’s B40 if Pakatan wins, Prabakaran pledges — Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (left) and P. Prabakaran (right) were greeted by at least 2,000 eager supporters during a ceramah at Taman Dato’ Senu last night. Despite the existence of a free bus service at present, Prabakaran laments that the service only serves the affluent, tourist-focused districts of the city, whereas the service that he mooted previously aimed to help the poorest communities. – LANCELOT THESEIRA/The Vibes pic, November 16, 2022

by Lancelot Theseira

KUALA LUMPUR – Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for Batu, P Prabakaran, has promised free bus services for impoverished communities in the city if his coalition comes to power in the 15th general election (GE15).

Speaking during the Batu Harapan Mega Rally in Taman Dato’ Senu today, Prabakaran said during PH’s brief stint in power, he had initiated such a service for the Kg Batu community with the help of then-Federal Territories minister Khalid Samad.

However, this was shelved following the 2020 Sheraton Move, which saw PH ousted from government.

“They (the federal government) have a free bus (service) here in KL. It’s very colourful,” he said, in reference to the Go KL City Bus service operated by KL City Hall.

Despite the existence of a free bus service at present, Prabakaran lamented that the service only serves the affluent, tourist-focused districts of the city, whereas the service that he mooted previously aimed to help the poorest communities.

“The bus (service) was to help the poorest communities here (in Batu)...the people of Kg Batu, many of whom were under the B40. But when they came to power, they shelved it.”

In this race, P. Prabakaran, who is the incumbent since 2018, will face his former mentor Chua Tian Chang (left) – popularly known as Tian Chua – who is running as an independent, following PKR’s decision to field him instead of Chua. – Stephen V. Joseph Facebook pic, November 16, 2022

Prabakaran went on to say that such a service would be extremely helpful for impoverished communities across Kuala Lumpur.

The Batu Harapan Mega Rally was attended by some 2,000 residents last night and featured speakers such as PH’s prime minister candidate Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Titiwangsa candidate Khalid Samad, and a number of local leaders.

The Batu parliament seat is GE15’s most crowded fight, with ten candidates battling it out for the support of some 113,863 registered voters.

In this race, Prabakaran, who is the incumbent since 2018, will face his former mentor Chua Tian Chang – popularly known as Tian Chua – who is running as an independent, following PKR’s decision to field him instead of Chua.

Also joining the race are Wan Azliana Wan Adnan of Pejuang, Azhar Yahya of Perikatan Nasional, Nathan Pillai of Warisan, and Barisan Nasional’s Datuk A. Kohilan Pillay.

The nation will go to the polls on November 19. – The Vibes, November 16, 2022