2026: A NEW HOPE?

By Sarawakian

The year 2026 was a wet one as the weather was not kind to party revelers. The world’s climate has changed quite a bit and some states in Malaysia have been experiencing floods.

The Sabah election has ended and true to expectations, local parties prevailed as the Borneo side seemed destined to become a reality in thinking. A near total wipeout of Peninsula based parties in Sabah further cements the ideology long used successfully in Sarawak.

The only difference is that Sarawak now has the gone far away from political rhetoric but a more steadfast focus on the improving on healthcare, education inclusivity, new income streams and elderly care. Do not forget what PETROS, DBOS, the Kenyalang Gold Card for those reaching 60, Air Borneo, ART (Autonomous Rail Transit), Pay n Go App, SARWAK PASS and the FTES (Free Tertiary Education Scheme) have all now come to the fore.

Sarawakians really have it good. It comes as no surprise that now, Sabah wants to be the same. Politics had an interesting end for Malaysia last year. Sarawak will go to the polls soon and though not necessary till at least March 2027, there are rumors that this would happen after Gawai Dayak. Who will win? It is now obvious. It is just whether it would be a total wipeout of seats by GPS.

This year, Malaysia will begin Visit Malaysia Year 2026 with the aim of improving the tourism sector. This was launched in Bukit Bintang recently as part of the New Year Countdown. We hope that the campaign will spur the tourism industry players to improve their services and physical attributes more. Some are still not up to speed especially when it comes to awareness.

It is time for us to also look at Subang Jaya. Do take note of MBSJ’s draft plans. Some would affect you in one way or another. Attention should be on the conversion of use. I urge everyone to look at protecting green areas and parks. Have you seen how we have started to lose trees as many have been chopped down without mercy? When asked, we were given the reason for public safety and unhealthy trees. But when they do come around, they basically chop a whole row. Subang Jaya is losing trees. Why not prune the healthy ones? Why chop them down? If it is unhealthy, then chop them, pull the roots up and replant one in its place.

Did you also notice that recently we have got new street light poles coming up just next to the working street light poles? Why is such money wasted? Honestly, I cannot understand. Our tax money is supposed to be used better.  Are we now paying for fancy street lightings?

Yet we hear of some councilors and those in power being happy about road patch up work. I have read so many comments on social media of the community being unhappy for such half past six works. It would have been better to look at resurfacing a stretch properly.

We have just also been informed that the current waste contract has been negotiated and awarded. We do hope for better collection and improved sanitary procedures. We do not want leachate falling on the road in front of our houses or see dirty waste trucks on the road.

The issue of flash floods remains in Subang Jaya. Perhaps there is a need for a holistic look as the issue has never ceased when heavy downpour occurs. When that happens, we see lots of debris on the road and on the landscaping. When we look at landscaping, it is one thing to see the grass cutters cutting the grass, but they do not seem to also clear litter when they encounter while cutting grass.

Subang Jaya needs better councilors and local governance. It is safe to say that it is critical. Cleanliness is nowhere we deserve. Landscaping is nowhere near what we must have. Making Subang Jaya pedestrian and cycling friendly is sadly beyond what one can accept.

It is time for the community of Subang Jaya to make some noise. 2026 and 2027 are years when the drums of electoral candidates will increase in decibel. We cannot just allow Subang Jaya to regress.

Despite countless articles, SS15 and SS14 and even Taipan USJ 9 and 10 have not improved in attention. The only ones seemingly doing extra work are the traffic wardens.

Did anyone notice the bus stop in front of USJ11 at Persiaran Tujuan? It was destroyed by a vehicle and still left unattended without care for fixing for more than month or so now.

Has anyone used the new shuttle bus service? The free bus service has gotten smaller and supposedly better than the larger ones. Can anyone attest this experience?

A new hope for Subang Jaya? Let us not just hope but do our part to make our thoughts heard. Otherwise, we will find Subang Jaya turning into a cowboy town where even our parks can turn into a food truck hub and trees felled indiscriminately making our home devoid of greenery we were once proud of.

The Subang Ria Park is now a place where proper parking facilities are not thought of. Now we have a pickle ball place near PARC and the soon to close Crocodile Fram Seafood Restaurant. This green lung and the issue of its future must be clarified. Otherwise, it would remain as a point of argument.

Think about Subang Jaya folks. It is 2026. Should we seek new hope?