By Sarawakian
The Year of the Wood Snake would soon make way for the Year of the Fire Horse this Chinese New Year 2026. It seems that the weeks leading up to this year’s Chinese New Year had been rather muted.
There is no festive feeling amongst the general population as many just go through the routine of each day. Much like the silence in a packed LRT train which is rather normal from the early mornings and the late afternoons as people commute to their place of work. The only respite would be from the peak hours of the morning rush and around lunchtime and the period of just after lunchtime to the midafternoon.
The newly minted councilors of Subang Jaya have suddenly come out to show how well they are doing their work. Interestingly, some have even been councilors before and they have all somehow like clockwork, suddenly found their zeal to do what was required after years. It was as if they had woken up. To me it was something I found funny and one worth a chuckle. But in my opinion, each is a hypocrite. Nevertheless, at least they started doing what they were supposed to do.
Another one to note is the “tremendous” effort by our ADUN Subang Jaya in making videos either with the ADUN being a “star” or getting “influencers” to help polish up the “efforts” in Subang Jaya. It seemed that all the political candidates had started to become active. This is probably due to the result of the Sabah Elections, where one party was wiped out. Only one word described the cause of the downfall. Arrogance.
I have this gut feeling that they have been advised to buck up and get more engaged with the community they serve in and try to be more approachable and friendlier. Alas, we cannot doubt that they are trying hard. But wounds do not heal that fast and forgiving while given may not erase the memory of the past distrust.
I have also read with glee of the rat killing and catching exercise at SS15. This activity has started to come to fore again. Perhaps a great start to put the new councilor in the forefront as a political candidate for Subang Jaya?
Anyways, time would tell and until then, we would still harp on the betterment of Subang Jaya. SS15, despite numerous highlights by the people of Subang Jaya, had never been fixed for many years. We had seen progress during the days of Hannah Yeoh and her hardworking maverick councilors even until Taipan. More was done during those years than the tenure of the current ADUN and the batch of councilors after Hannah’s time.
Potholes and dingy back alleys remain in the major commercial areas of USJ21, Taipan USJ10, USJ9, SS14 and SS15. The area of USJ1 where the flats remain a problem unresolved, especially with hygiene. The same with the SS13 ones. The old bird park now turned food truck park was another case of serious nonsense. What was once promised as a nice green area with trees planted, has suddenly become a place of ruckus polluted by engines and cooking.
MBSJ has asked that community look and make comments on their draft plan. Even politicians have come up and try to then act as if they are doing a community service with a hint of sarcasm asking us to do our part. Yeah right. For years, no fight for the best for Subang Jaya and now awaken.
SS15 is the best place to see if they are serious. No number of murals on LRT pylons and murals heading out from Subang Jaya near a residential area nor the visible Tik Tok, Facebook and Instagram stories of efforts would provide any solution. What we want is visible progress. Enough promises and talk. You cannot say you do not have the influence when you even try to be influencers yourselves on social media.
The pedestrian walkways connecting all the public transportation stations as well as the inclusivity for those who are physically challenged remain a dream. Nothing has progressed.
Look at the area near DaMen. After the bridge was removed for a project since cancelled by MBSJ and of which the ADUN never really came out to ask why and dig into further. If there was a mistake, point it out and heads must roll. All we see are trees chopped down. The USJ7 LRT is the interchange with the BRT and a heavily used station with commuters walking to the station. Yet the pedestrian facilities here are rubbish.
Landscaping is still littered with grass cutting being no more than posing for pictures as evidence. No wonder we see rather unsatisfactory landscaping and waste control as all workers now must follow a pose and take picture evidence. Throw in a video and send it to your bosses to prove type of work concept.
In my last article, I had mentioned how new street light poles have come up along side working street light poles as the process of change would take place. These new poles are a customized design. These would replace exiting ones which are working. Now, do ask yourself and question the act. The money used for this is our hard-earned taxes. Money is being used to change something which is not broken.
This is the Year of the Fire Horse, and I believe that Subang Jayans should just wake up and not follow blindly just because you like the political party. No quarters should be given as the mandate provided by voters should be used to make the ADUN and their recommended councilors work. Being complacent and supporting because we want continued efforts to improve should now stop. It is time to be more aggressive. The current batch has a tough task to fix things. There is not much time before the next elections and the end of their own tenure as councilors. The magnification is stronger now. If there is a political change, do not blame the voters or the people but ask as to how the elected had betrayed the trust of the people.
To end, I would like to take the opportunity to wish all readers:
GONG XI FA CAI and a Prosperous Chinese New Year of the FIRE HORSE!
