Jamaliah said if elected, she would use the seat as a platform to uplift the area’s youth and women. — Picture by Ahmad Zamzahuri

PETALING JAYA, May 6 — For most, having former communist fighter Shamsiah Fakeh as a grandmother would be a deathblow for their political ambitions, but newcomer Jamaliah Jamaluddin has conquered the seemingly insurmountable.

Voters in Bandar Utama — the new name for the Damansara Utama state constituency — where she is contesting, not only would not judge her for her late grandmother’s actions with the Communist Party of Malaysia (CPM), some outright refuse to let it colour their view of the young DAP member.

Most also expressed familiarity with the 29-year-old through her work as a former Petaling Jaya city councillor and as aide to incumbent assemblyman Yeo Bee Yin.

“I will give her a chance, since it is her running for her seat, not her grandmother. This is the new generation, we should not judge her based on who her grandmother was,” said 41-year-old businessman N. Kumara.

He added that he was additionally convinced as she was from DAP, which he supported, and had seen her serve under Yeo.

Some such as Marliana Mohtar, 35, said the country has moved on since Shamsiah’s time.

“Times have changed and the battles are also different now. It is unfair to compare her with someone from that time; priorities have changed,” she said.

Others told Malay Mail they were voting to keep the current PKR administration in power and allow its policies to continue.

At the Kayu Ara night market, Muhammad Abdullah said he never dreamed of being able to afford his own home.

“Once the Selangor government changed, however, my name was put on the waiting list, and I hope to finally own my own unit by this year,” said the 41-year-old toy seller.

For Jamaliah, much of the goodwill accorded her will be down to Yeo’s service to the area.

According to burger shop owner Ali Ahmad, 55, the area has seen much improvement in the last five years, and said he expects that more will be done when a younger person takes over with fresh ideas.

“I am not saying the last representative was no good, but I like to see new faces being given a chance to represent the people,” he said.

Empowering the youth

The idea is one shared by Jamaliah herself, who told Malay Mail she would use the seat as a platform to uplift the area’s youth and women.

“When I come into power, we would conduct research to find out what markets we can tap into to create more opportunities for the state, even working together with the private sector to see where we can improve,” she said.

Jamaliah explained that she was not only talking about job opportunities, but the creation of vocations and careers that could open more opportunities in the future.

She also plans to build on Yeo’s efforts in the seat, particularly in the areas of safety and security.

The Bandar Utama seat is being contested by Jamaliah, Barisan Nasional’s Ch’ng Soo Chau, and Peter Chong, an independent candidate.