Development: An overkill
RK AnandPublished: Apr 27, 2007 11:42 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 6:21 PM
The sleepy hollow has turned into a massive construction site. Work is being carried out around the clock.
The sleepy hollow has turned into a massive construction site. Work is being carried out around the clock.
Tractors, steam rollers, cranes and countless numbers of workers have poured into the Ijok constituency since it was announced that a by-election will be held.
Freshly tarred roads, new street lights and traffic lights have become the norm over the past few days.
The BN hopes to capture the hearts of the locals with this overnight development and convince them to vote for their candidate K Parthiban.
However, one MIC member expressed concern that the strategy may backfire.
"The people are not stupid. There was little progress when the state assemblyperson (K Sivalingam) was alive and now suddenly when he is dead everything is being done in one go.
"All the complaints, which have not been addressed for years, are being addressed instantaneously. People are laughing," he said.
The MIC member, who declined to be named, said the development should have been carried out in stages.
"What is happening now is an overkill, it is sending out the message that you fellows (the locals) can be bought over with large amounts of tar and lights.
"I am worried that this could affect Parthiban's chances," lamented the local politician.
He said some locals have told him that they would vote for the opposition candidate so that when the general election comes, more development will take place in a bid to reclaim the seat.
"They tell me if Parthiban wins big, BN will consider Ijok as its stronghold and when the general election comes, there won't be much goodies," he added.
Traffic jams
Echoing a similar view was another MIC member. He said the construction and repair works are inconveniencing the locals.
"Look at the jam. We never had this before, now the jam is bumper to bumper for miles. It is made worse by the influx of thousands of cars from other places.
"The locals are unhappy, especially those doing business, they get stuck in the jam and time is money," he added.
Apart from this, he said the idea of turning a by-election into a carnival could also prove to be disastrous.
"Before this, nobody came here. Now, the whole world is here. There are cooking classes, English classes, football matches, go-kart races and so many other things.
"After the by-election, everyone will disappear. I have fathers complaining about their children not doing their schoolwork because of all these activities," he added.
He said if elected representatives keep in touch with the locals on a regular basis and address their grouses, there will be no need for this 'fun fair' to win votes.
According to him, even the opposition is cast in the same mould.
"They (opposition leaders) seldom go around to meet the working class people. Take (PKR advisor) Anwar (Ibrahim) for example.
"He goes overseas and talks to foreigners, but never comes to the estates. But when a BN politician dies, he is here day and night, talking about corruption and estate workers' problems," he said.
Flashy cars
Meanwhile, a local BN supporter, who identified himself only as Haji Zainal, said that politicians should not come in flashy cars to address rural folks.
"Tengoklah," he said, pointing to a row of cars parked outside a BN function.
"Semua Mercedes, BMW. Semua besar-besar, semua mewah-mewah. Kita orang kampung naik kapcai buruk pergi dengar dia orang ceramah. Manalah, tak sakit hati."
He said these politicians have come to meet the people to convince them to vote for their party and since it is a rural area, made up of low income groups, they should appear humble and modest.
"Naiklah Proton, Proton Perdana pun kira okaylah. Ini tak, naik kereta orang putih, lagi mahal dari rumah orang, datang kampung nak kempen. Mana boleh?" he added.
Another local resident, who claimed to be apolitical but declined to be named, said he was puzzled by the level of security for certain top politicians.
He said they come to mingle with the people but have an entourage of security personnel, police outriders and bodyguards. This, he added, creates an invisible wall between them and the people.
"This is not Iraq, this is Ijok. Why so much security?" he asked.
Fact boxes on Ijok
Tractors, steam rollers, cranes and countless numbers of workers have poured into the Ijok constituency since it was announced that a by-election will be held. Freshly tarred roads, new street lights and traffic lights have become the norm over the past few days.
The BN hopes to capture the hearts of the locals with this overnight development and convince them to vote for their candidate K Parthiban.
However, one MIC member expressed concern that the strategy may backfire.
"The people are not stupid. There was little progress when the state assemblyperson (K Sivalingam) was alive and now suddenly when he is dead everything is being done in one go.
"All the complaints, which have not been addressed for years, are being addressed instantaneously. People are laughing," he said.
The MIC member, who declined to be named, said the development should have been carried out in stages.
"What is happening now is an overkill, it is sending out the message that you fellows (the locals) can be bought over with large amounts of tar and lights.
"I am worried that this could affect Parthiban's chances," lamented the local politician.
He said some locals have told him that they would vote for the opposition candidate so that when the general election comes, more development will take place in a bid to reclaim the seat.
"They tell me if Parthiban wins big, BN will consider Ijok as its stronghold and when the general election comes, there won't be much goodies," he added.
Traffic jams
Echoing a similar view was another MIC member. He said the construction and repair works are inconveniencing the locals.
"Look at the jam. We never had this before, now the jam is bumper to bumper for miles. It is made worse by the influx of thousands of cars from other places. "The locals are unhappy, especially those doing business, they get stuck in the jam and time is money," he added.
Apart from this, he said the idea of turning a by-election into a carnival could also prove to be disastrous.
"Before this, nobody came here. Now, the whole world is here. There are cooking classes, English classes, football matches, go-kart races and so many other things.
"After the by-election, everyone will disappear. I have fathers complaining about their children not doing their schoolwork because of all these activities," he added. He said if elected representatives keep in touch with the locals on a regular basis and address their grouses, there will be no need for this 'fun fair' to win votes.
According to him, even the opposition is cast in the same mould.
"They (opposition leaders) seldom go around to meet the working class people. Take (PKR advisor) Anwar (Ibrahim) for example.
"He goes overseas and talks to foreigners, but never comes to the estates. But when a BN politician dies, he is here day and night, talking about corruption and estate workers' problems," he said.
Flashy cars
Meanwhile, a local BN supporter, who identified himself only as Haji Zainal, said that politicians should not come in flashy cars to address rural folks.
"Tengoklah," he said, pointing to a row of cars parked outside a BN function.
"Semua Mercedes, BMW. Semua besar-besar, semua mewah-mewah. Kita orang kampung naik kapcai buruk pergi dengar dia orang ceramah. Manalah, tak sakit hati."
He said these politicians have come to meet the people to convince them to vote for their party and since it is a rural area, made up of low income groups, they should appear humble and modest.
"Naiklah Proton, Proton Perdana pun kira okaylah. Ini tak, naik kereta orang putih, lagi mahal dari rumah orang, datang kampung nak kempen. Mana boleh?" he added.
Another local resident, who claimed to be apolitical but declined to be named, said he was puzzled by the level of security for certain top politicians.
He said they come to mingle with the people but have an entourage of security personnel, police outriders and bodyguards. This, he added, creates an invisible wall between them and the people.
"This is not Iraq, this is Ijok. Why so much security?" he asked.
Fact boxes on Ijok
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