The people say …
By Neville Spykerman and Lee Wei Lian (The Malaysian Insider)
IPOH, Feb 8 – Barisan National (BN) may have the mandate of the Ruler to govern Perak but obtaining the confidence of the people is another matter.
Abdul Kadir Abu Baytha
To Abdul Kadir Abu Baytha, 44, Nizar was a good man who had helped many people.
“What has happened has left us with a lot of uncertainty,” said the rojak seller from Ipoh town.
Tan Kim Soon, 67, hit out at Jelapang Assemblyman Hee Yit Fong for betraying her voters.
“She won with a huge majority but no one voted for her to cross over or become and independent,” the used-car dealer from Pasir Puteh said, adding that Hee was going to be cursed and “there will be no happy ending for her”.
Tan added that most people in Perak would prefer snap elections to be called.
K.S. Yong, 50, said BN had better do a good job now that they are back in control of the state.
“If they don’t live up to their promise then they better watch out during the next elections,” said the housewife from Kampung Simee.
The same sentiment was shared by Ho Kean Fatt, also from Kampung Simee, who said philosophically that “everything happens for a reason”.
“They have an opportunity to ensure Perak is developed to it full potential and wealth is generated and spread around.”
The 39-year-old businessman said the public were not stupid and BN will pay a price during the next elections if they don’t live up to expectations.
Hawker K.C. Chow said he was happy with Nizar and his administration.
The 35-year-old popiah seller from Ipoh operates a mobile stall from a motorcycle and said the PR government was accommodating to people trying to “cari makan (earn a living)”.
“During the past 11 months, I have not received a single fine for operating my stall, unlike the previous administration.”
Chow said he was not sure how hawkers like him were going to survive under the new BN state government.
Fong Sau keng
Fong Sau Keng, 50, said most people are angry with the takeover.
“This is a government which was not chosen by the people,”said the chee cheog fun seller.
Tea stall operator G. Jeya, 50, said the previous BN administration made life difficult for her.
“For 15 years, I could not get a licence but under Nizar this all changed. “We are not happy about what happened.”
V. Citra
V. Citra said the new BN government must prove they will serve the people, regardless of race or religion.
“Just help everyone and be fair, that’s what I want to see.” said the 30-year-old factory worker from Pengkalan.
Mohd Azmir, 32, said PR government had brought progress to Ipoh during their 11 months in power.
“There was an incomplete building which had been abandoned for years but, suddenly, it was revived and completed when the PR took over.”
The security guard said he hoped the new BN government was going to be just as effective but added that most people were not optimistic.
Restaurant owner Lina Hussin, 29, said the PR supporters were being very unfair to the Sultan and she was glad that BN was back in power.
“What happened outside the mosque at Kuala Kangsar, on Friday, was uncalled for because the ruler had already made his decision, which should be respected.”
She added that her parents, in the home town in Teluk Intan, had been lamenting that there’s been no progress or development ever since PR took over.
But Hasnul Razak , 23, from Kuala Kangsar said: “Dissolving the state assembly is the best option so that peace can return.
“BN is afraid of elections because the mood of the people is with the Pakatan Rakyat. We, the people, are with one heart asking the Sultan for his permission to dissolve the state assembly so that we can have elections.
“Even if the BN wins, at least it is the according to the rule of law and the Constitution.
BN is also trying to play with public sentiment by saying that we are defying the Sultan. That is not true becuse what we really want is just to follow the law.”
