DO NOT FORSAKE US

By Sarawakian

Malaysia suddenly has a series of earthquakes. Luckily, we have not got any catastrophes since the gas pipeline fire incident in Subang Jaya last 1^st April. These 5 earthquake incidents happened in Johor, and the Richter scale hit 4.1 within 5 days since the first two were detected on 24^th August 2025.

As we sipped our kopi at our favorite kopitiam in SS15 one of our regulars remarked that Subang Jaya has regressed instead of progressed the past few years. We were all too eager to hear more and the conversation became rather lively.

Subang Jaya had only 3 different ADUNs since the Subang Jaya seat was created. It was first contested in 1995. The 1995, 1999 and 2004 elections were won by Dato Lee Hwa Beng of MCA which was part of the BN coalition then. He held the seat for 13 years.

The last one in 2004 was won uncontested by Lee. To many older Subang Jaya residents, he was quite an approachable person and would always be around for the people of Subang Jaya. One of his unfinished visions was the creation of planned and structured organized connected pedestrian walkways linking the commercial areas of Subang Jaya and Bandar Sunway.

In 2008, Subang Jaya chose to elect a Subang Jayan native, and Hannah Yeoh of DAP became the youthful face and energetic leader for the seat. She did not beat Lee as he was not contesting in the state seat. Instead, she won against the late Ong Chong Swen. The win was against the tide and relied on the swelling ‘people’s power’ movement.

She went on to win the 2013 election and on 21 June 2013, at the age of 34, Yeoh was sworn in as the Speaker of the Selangor State Legislative Assembly, becoming Malaysia’s youngest and first female state Speaker. She served us for 10 years.

The 10 years were significant as she was very passionate about Subang Jaya and took active roles and leadership on issues of the community. Her attendance, attention and solid follow ups to issues and concerns were an advancement to the already humble and community centric work by her predecessor, Lee.

Today, Hannah is Malaysia’s Minister of Youth and Sports. Subang Jaya’s own has made Subang Jaya proud. She has been exemplary and youth and future politicians should and must use her as a case study of good public service.

In 2018, Subang Jaya had a new representative. Michelle Ng won the seat with a higher majority as the community of Subang Jaya had elevated expectations of whom they had elected. She also went on to win the seat in the 2023 elections. The majority had a slip, but it was still high considerably.

The current Selangor State Assembly would expire, and the election would need to be held by 18^th November 2028. Would we see another candidate from DAP? Or would we be offered Michelle to lead us again? Only time would tell.

Subang Jaya has been going through constant changes. Do not forget that Subang Jaya was elevated in 1997 with the establishment of MPSJ and elevated to a city status on 20^th October 2020 with the establishment of the MBSJ.

We had 7 YDPs for MPSJ and 4 Mayors for MBSJ. The last YDP and the first Mayor was Datin Paduka Noraini Roslan. One wonders why from 2020 till today, we have already got 4 mayors. This is worrying as one should hold the mantle long enough to make an impact.

Roads have been widened. Trees had been cut. Flyovers have dotted our sight lines and skies. Free bus services have been instituted. Bicycle lanes have been created and then forgotten. The Pedestrian bridge from the USJ7 LRT towards Da Men has been removed and the pedestrian facilities have not improved especially when crossing the road.

Bus stops have been improved but the work should be hastened. The roads in Subang Jaya really need resurfacing as pipe replacement works have made patch work repairs a norm. SS19, SS18, SS16, SS15 and SS14 are really in need of attention. Taipan USJ10 and USJ 9 need no less. The back lane issues remain unresolved. Most are filled with potholes and are unhygienic. The rat population in SS15 still thrives. The owls have gone.

The crow population has reduced but would need constant gun execution. Our commercial areas really need attention to hygiene and safety issues. There is a strong need for Subang Jaya to get cooperation from stakeholders as the pedestrian connectivity is something never done properly. Walkways are not entirely safe as bumps and humps and challenges are aplenty. It is time to rethink if the walkways on road shoulders are safe as opposed to the proper design where road shoulders remain shoulders and the walkways have the shoulders as buffers.

Please do not forsake Subang Jaya. We have come this far, and we need a healthier and lovable environment in addition to one which is business friendly. There is a need for even simple rubbish and refuse trucks to be better managed. Leachate could still be seen spilling onto the road.

The next election is coming near. These would become fodder for attention. Subang Jayans have a limit. A community united does wonders. We all hope for a more initiative-taking local government and the councilors continue to press aggressively. To represent Subang Jaya is an honour and should not be taken lightly. The past laid examples of good lessons.

Please do not forsake us.