bn accepting trash: ‘Even zakaria was better than badrul’
For a number of Port Klang voters, yesterday was the first time they have laid eyes on elected representative Badrul Hisham Abdullah, whose face was splashed across most newspaper front-page for quitting PKR.
When Malaysiakini visited Port Klang town, most locals interviewed said they were unaware of what Badrul Hisham looked like prior to this, because they had never seen him before.
Most interviewees were also nonchalant about his new status as a Barisan Nasional-friendly independent.
“Though he is an independent, he is still useless,” said R Ettiapan, who runs a social welfare group in Port Klang.
According to Ettiapan, Badrul Hisham did not help the constituents enough, adding that he had found it very hard to set up a meeting with the state assemblyperson.
He also claimed that his request for Badrul Hisham’s help was ignored. This discontent was echoed by other interviewees, but many refused to go on record.
A pale shadow of Zakaria
In fact, two interviewees who declined to be named, believe that Badrul Hisham was a pale shadow of his predecessor, the late Zakaria Mat Deros from Umno.
“Zakaria was better. At least, he went around town. He has helped me before,” said a female interviewee, who runs a sundry shop.
The irony is that Zakaria was controversial politician who built the infamous 16-room palatial mansion in nearby Pandamaran without submitting building plans to the authorities.
Zakaria’s daughter-in-law Roselinda Abdul Jamil stood against Badrul Hisham during the general election last year and lost by a big margin.
Another interviewee pondered aloud how Badrul Hisham, who was unknown in the area, managed to beat Roselinda, who was seen to be representing the ailing Zakaria.
“Badrul Hisham created history. He won despite not having any posters (of him) being strung up,” said the male interviewee, a shop attendant near the Port Klang taxi stand.
Klang municipal councillor S Selvadurai, when met, declined to talk about Badrul Hisham’s performance but confirmed that the latter did not attend council events.
“We always invite him, but I’ve never seen him attend them,” he said.
In search of Badrul’s service centre
The search for more information about the elusive Badrul Hisham took Malaysiakini to his service centre, listed on the Selangor government website.
As it turned out, the double-story terrace corner lot, painted in PKR colours of red and turquoise, was vacated by Badrul Hisham in July, just after four months.
“One day, the owner came and removed everything,” said a neighbour, who requested anonymity, pointing to the service centre signboard which is lying in the garden.
Another neighbour and homemaker Christine D’Costa told Malaysiakini that she encountered Badrul Hisham on several occasions, but never spoke to him.
According to D’Costa, there was not much activity in the building and she was told by some of those who waited for Badrul Hisham were stood up by him.
“They make appointments but leave empty handed,” she said, adding that she was unsure if Badrul Hisham has started a new service centre.
Asked how she felt as a Port Klang voter, about Badrul Hisham’s defection, she replied: “It means we cannot rely on anyone. Like lalang, they (politicians) sway from side to side.”
PKR logo still on his front door
Since news of Badrul Hisham quitting PKR broke, reporters have been making a beeline for his home in Kampung Raja Uda, a stone’s throw away from Port Klang town.
Reporters were waiting as early as 9am at his home in order to obtain further comments, but like those at his service centre, also left empty handed.
When Malaysiakini visited the house yesterday afternoon, a plaque bearing the PKR logo still adorned the front door.
His concrete bungalow house – with two cars parked inside – stood out against a backdrop of mostly wooden houses in the village.
Although the heavily-tinted main sliding doors were shut, the backdoor was ajar but no one responded to repeated calls at the gate.
Andrew Ong/Mkini
