Many people write threatening emails to me. If I don’t reply their emails and solve their problems in 4 days time – they will take it to the press, take it to the cyber forum, tell the whole community why Hannah Yeoh is of no good to the people of Subang Jaya and etc. They have given BN 50 years and only after 50 years they decided to take it to the ballot box. And here, I’m given 4 days or 4 months and I’m expected to move mountains, perform a miracle of instant change and solve everyone’s problem in the blink of an eye.
Everyone tells me that their problem is my priority. I only have 24 hours a day, 5 working days a week and have been working non-stop since March 8. Some people come to me asking me for money. They want a personal loan of 10,000 for their business. When I said “I am sorry, I am not able to help you”, they would march out of my office, angry and upset with me. This was what they said “No point voted for you, you cannot help me” before storming out of my office.
Another came to complain about the quality of water from Syabas. When my assistant said, please lodge a complaint with Syabas first, they demanded to speak to me even though it was past 10pm that night and they slammed the table in my office, kicked the door and shouted abusive words. We had to inform the police.
Some wanted me to solve their marriage/divorce problems. Some employees wanted me to tell their bosses how to treat them nicely. Some wanted money to service their bank loans and rental. Some wanted me to tell the cabs not to charge them so much. Some wanted me to tell their neighbours not to be so nasty. Some wanted me to see the tree in front of their house, the drains, the parks, the pipes and many more. Some would debate for hours over RM2. Some would argue for the sake of arguing. I cannot look into everyone’s personal matters. I have not been elected a wakil keluarga (family rep), wakil kewangan (your financial rep) or your rep at work. I have to look into problems concerning the people at large (wakil rakyat) and ensure these problems are highlighted at the State Assembly. That’s the role of an assemblyman. I am sorry, I am not a domestic maid.
Some civil servants be it at MPSJ, Land Office or the police are still upset that BN lost. The hands and legs sometimes do not want to move. I have to repeatedly remind them for things to be done. Classic excuse given to me is this “ADUN masa dulu akan buat dengan cara ini and etc” (the previous ADUN would do it this way and etc). I say it again, I am not the former ADUN. We will change that attitude soon.
I have to explain this to all of you so that the next time you hear someone complaining – no point voted for change, she can’t solve my problem – ask further – What is the problem? Personal problem?
Now I understand why it has taken so many years for Malaysia to progress. Attitude is a factor.
I am not here for the power. I am not here to ‘play politics’ – I don’t know how to. I am here genuinely to serve the larger community when I stepped up to the challenge of running for election. Whilst many others have walked away offended and they criticised me for not solving their ‘problems’, each night I still go to bed praying with a clear conscience (that’s if I haven’t fallen asleep on the couch). I have not mistreated anyone unfairly, I have not taken a single bribe and I am still doing my best to tackle the problems created by others. When my time is up, if you still think I am no good for the people of Subang Jaya, I will gladly go. I have no problem letting go because I have no strings attached, no contracts made for myself or for others and I will not be a sore loser. I will give a pat for myself (even if no one would) because I know I have done all I could to make Subang Jaya a better place.
But for now, I will keep working and keep fighting to change the mindset of residents. Look at the saying of John F. Kennedy posted above. I may not be able to solve everything in my term but hey I have started working on them. I just need you to know that in my effort to tackle the problems faced by residents at large, there are some things that I just wouldn’t do.