LETTER | Zuraida, attend to your own backyard before joining BN

LETTER I recently read in the news that Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM), which is helmed by its president-designate Zuraida Kamaruddin, will know its fate next week about its application to join BN.

I have no interest in whether PBM joins BN, is opposed to the current federal government or stays neutral. My only concern is the welfare of voters in Ampang, whose MP is Zuraida (above).

I have been living in Ampang for over 23 years now. Of late, I must say that Zuraida has shown scant regard for the welfare of the residents there. This is a stark contrast to her days in PKR, under which she won and defended the parliamentary seat since the 2008 general election.

Back then, she was actively involved in community work. We could see her on the ground personally attending to the woes of the voters. Nowadays, her presence is only felt through buntings such as those containing festive wishes.

Recently, flash floods hit Ampang. Representatives from other parties like PKR and BN were quick to mobilise help for affected victims. But for Zuraida, it’s a case of “batang hidung pun tak nampak”!

I don’t know whether she’s busy with her work as a minister or whether this caused the lapses in her constituency duties, but as a seasoned politician, she should know that she would not have been a minister if not for Ampang voters who elected her as an MP.

And if she were to seek re-election in Ampang in the next general election, whether on BN’s or PBM’s ticket, she can for sure kiss her MP-ship goodbye. We Ampang voters are not like those from other parts of the country.

We voted for her on her PKR ticket but she conspired with political “frogs” in the “Sheraton Move” for her selfish political interests. Voters in other parts of the country may be more forgiving but not Ampang.

Furthermore, the dereliction of her constituency duties has made it impossible for her to retain her seat in Ampang. It doesn’t matter if Zuraida’s application to join BN is successful or not. Ampang is set to be her Waterloo if she even dares to defend her seat.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.