PETALING JAYA: May 18 – Newly elected DAP state assemblyman Rajiv Rishyakaran seems to have clear views on what needs to be done in his Bukit Gasing constituency.
“I will look into the development of the Bukit Gasing Hill and the overall development in the constituency such as drainage and streetlights.
“I’m working along with the resident’s associations and receiving full cooperation from them. Many NGO bodies are also coming forward to extend their support,” said Rishyakaran, 32.
According to him, these were his commitments to his constituents when he went round campaigning during the 13th general election last May 5.
And now that he has been elected, and by a whopping 5,842 votes majority, he’s getting down to looking into issues on transportation, crime and welfare.
Rajiv’s experience as a local councilor in the PJ City Council, prior to his election as assemblyman, has also contributed towards his knowledge of how the civil service works.
A PJ native, Rishyakaran expects his knowledge of local issues and experience as a councilor to smoothen collaboration with the authorities.
“My parents are from here and I grew up here for six years before moving to Ipoh when my father was transferred out. I understand the woes of the people and issues within this constituency,” he said.
On transportation, Rishyakaran said Bukit Gasing is blessed with two LRT stations and a KTM commuter station. But the problem however was the connecting buses.
“This needs to be improved. A good bus network is needed to connect residents to the commuter stations and this might reduce the transportation woes.
“The timings of the traffic lights will need to be adjusted too to combat traffic congestion.”
Also on his wish list is to have more mobile policemen to deter crime.
“People today have the fear of going out at night. They are afraid of being robbed, losing their car, and are exposed to many crimes out there.
“More mobile policemen on bikes or bicycles should be brought in to monitor the neighbourhood.
“Fear should be instilled in the minds of criminals and the presence of more policemen in the street would contribute to this,” he said.
Social media
A hands-on assemblyman, Rishyakaran opposes corruption and cronyism. His first advises his council members was not to lobby for contracts for their own benefits.
He communicates his efforts and plans through social media and will also look into brochures and other communication materials for the sub-urban areas within his constituency.
He has launched his service centre at the MBPJ Hockey Stadium. Its operational from Mondays to Fridays, 10am to 5pm and Wednesdays from 7.30pm to 10pm.
An online complaint portal http://bit.ly/139LtAI has been launched to receive online complaints regarding the constituency.
Rishyakaran won the DAP’s seat with a majority of 15, 842 votes against his opponents who were involved in a four-way tussle.
Bukit Gasing is a Chinese urban majority constituency with 34, 662 voters out of which 69% are Chinese. Indians are made up of 15.2% while Malays consists of 13.5%.
