Nusajaya’s better roads might not lead to BN victory in Gelang Patah

ARCHIVES 2013

By admin-s On Apr 23, 2013

(Today Online) – “The roads are better, many new houses, but my life (is) still the same … just everything (is) more expensive.”

The sights in Nusajaya, Johor’s new state administrative capital, encapsulate one of the major issues dividing loyalties among Gelang Patah voters, who in 12 days will decide how the most closely watched battle in Malaysia’s 13th General Election plays out.

Nusajaya is a key component of Iskandar Malaysia — which has attracted substantial investments from Singapore companies — and falls within the electoral boundaries of Gelang Patah.

The smooth and spacious expressways there — rare in most other parts of Johor — represent compelling reasons to allow the Barisan Nasional (BN) to continue its work, some say. Those in the opposing camp, however, point to the billboards along the expressways touting new residential projects and question if the progress has benefitted Malaysians or has merely jacked up their living costs.

And away from the buzz generated by the high profile match-up in Gelang Patah between Mr Abdul Ghani Othman, 67, who was Johor’s Chief Minister for 18 years, and Democratic Action Party stalwart Lim Kit Siang, 72, residents cite the cost of living, security and education as issues that need to be addressed.

Ms Noori Ahmad, 29, a store assistant, said: “The roads are better, many new houses, but my life (is) still the same … just everything (is) more expensive.”

Mr Chee Kim Soo, 56, who owns a provision shop at Jalan Kacang Panjang — an old, quaint village that has been a cornerstone of support for the BN coalition — acknowledged that “life is getting harder”. He claimed that his utility bills and property tax have nearly doubled compared to just before the 2008 polls.

Iskandar’s success has resulted in the creation of thousands of jobs. There have also been other positive knock-on effects such as safer streets due to the authorities’ efforts to woo foreign investors. On the flipside, however, are rising costs and growing inequality, some Gelang Patah residents said.

Cabby Lee Hock Kheng, 55, said: “The place is still cheap but they make it safer, so many rich people want to come here. But how many ordinary Malaysians can afford those houses?”