By Alang Bendahara
SHAH ALAM, Nov 7 — It is uncommon to see a local fielded as a candidate in an election, general or otherwise, in the country.
Thus it is refreshing to see Hulu Langat native Mohd Sany Hamzan campaigning for the P101 Hulu Langat parliamentary seat, under the Pakatan Harapan banner on social media.
The 46-year-old Sany from Parti Amanah Negara, a Harapan component party, seems to be at ease during his daily rounds to meet with the people of Hulu Langat, based on the live videos frequently posted on his official Facebook, Twitter and TikTok accounts.
This comes as no surprise, as he began using the term ‘Awak Budak Langek’ or “I am a Langat Boy’ on November 1 in a Tweet announcing his candidacy for the seat during the 15th general election (GE15).
Based on Sany’s interactions with locals in the videos, the incumbent Taman Templer state assemblyman genuinely knows the people of Hulu Langat.
Recorded live with a wireless microphone attached to a black-coloured T-shirt, Sany showcased what a representative of the people should be, using local dialects in his engagement with villagers hanging out at local eateries and talking about wide-ranging issues, from the rising costs of living, to football matches or meetups.
His people’s skill is top notch, as he was seen even pulling up a chair on his own to sit down with a group of villagers and youths.
The former teacher at SMK Abdul Jalil, who was also a youth member of Masjid Sultan Hisamuddin Alam Shah in Pekan Batu 14, seems to know almost all the villagers residing in Kampung Rinching Hilir, Taman PKNS and Pekan Beranang.
‘Ingat Parlimen 101. Ingat Sany Hamzan. Pilih Calon No 1’ (Remember Parliament P101, remember Sany Hamzan, vote for candidate No. 1) is also voiced out by Sany to the villagers after spending 10 to 20 minutes at each stop.
A much-needed voice to represent the people
A strong voice in Dewan Rakyat is beneficial to raise the people’s issues, and Sany is the perfect man for Hulu Langat.
His track record in the Selangor State Legislative Assembly has shown that his loud voice was heard by all, including the state administration which took note of the issues he raised.
Being a local boy also means he knows the real issues affecting the people, as seen in his recent post on Tiktok three days ago that highlighted the delayed project to build Sekolah Rendah Taman Pelangi in Semenyih.
The post, which garnered 2,194 likes and 301 comments, also irked Barisan Nasional’s (BN) GE15 candidate for Hulu Langat, Datuk Johan Abd Aziz, who was forced to reply during one of his campaigning trails.
Having a local candidate has always been a pipe dream for many voters and what Sany brings to the table during his campaign trails from Saturday until today is indicative that he is the right local person to represent the parliamentary constituency of Hulu Langat.
Sany is in a six-way tussle for the seat, facing Johan, Parti Warisan’s Dato’ Abdul Rahman Jaafar, Parti Pejuang Tanah Air’s Dato Markiman Kobiran, Perikatan Nasional’s Dato’ Mohd Radzi Abd Latif, and Independent candidate Dr Mohamed Mustafa.
The current total number of registered voters in Hulu Langat stands at 166,902, compared to 102,363 during GE14 in 2018.
In GE14, the seat was won by Parti Amanah Negara’s Hasanuddin Mohd Yunus with a majority of 25,424 or 49,004 votes, beating BN’ Azman Ahmad with 23,580 votes and PAS’ Che Rosli Che Mat with 15,663 votes.
