KUALA LUMPUR – Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming has announced various projects worth RM5.21 million in Kuala Kubu Baharu.
He was quick to add that the ministry’s funds for the projects in the area had nothing to do with the coming by-election for the state seat.
After announcing the list of projects that included upgrades to public toilets, stalls and roads, Nga then urged voters living and working elsewhere to return and “vote in a caring party”.
“We (the ministry) chose (to announce allocations) for Kuala Kubu Baharu not because it is having a by-election. We chose Kuala Kubu Baharu because it is a very lucky place. The ‘feng shui’ here is good. So don’t be sensitive.
“However, next Saturday is nomination day… and (after that) I urge all voters here to ‘balik kampung’ to visit their families here and vote in a good party. A caring and progressive party. Faham-faham, lah (You understand, lah),” Nga said at a press conference after visiting different areas in Kuala Kubu Baharu today.
The video of his press conference is posted on his Facebook page.
Of the RM5.21 million he announced, RM4.61 million will be disbursed through Hulu Selangor Municipal Council for the repair and upgrade of stalls, the Rasa public market and a community hall.
The funds will also cover upgrades to public toilets at the Batang Kali public food court and market, and at a public park in Bukit Beruntung, as well as improvements to drains and water retention ponds, roadworks and new fencing for a few basketball courts.
Notably, RM500,000 will be spent to upgrade the toilets at the municipal council to smart, “six-star” toilets, Nga, who is a DAP politician, added.
Funds will also be given to Kuala Kubu Baharu’s volunteer fire and rescue squad, as well as to non-Muslim houses of worship, specifically, RM127,050 to the Sri Sithi Vinayagar temple and RM250,000 to Persatuan Penganut Dewa Siaw Kong dan Dewi Lee Ma for building repairs and upgrades.
Nga said the funds for the temples would come from the RM50 million allocated by the unity government for non-Muslim houses of worship nationwide.
He also announced 20 free houses worth RM70,000 each under the Rumah Madani Rakyat scheme would be given to poor families.
The Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election will be held on May 11 following the death of its representative Lee Kee Hiong, who had held the seat for DAP-Pakatan Harapan since 2013.
DAP is expected to field a candidate again to represent the unity government coalition in the by-election. – April 18, 2024