With Najib overseas, Muhyiddin goes on 'copy-cat' walkabout

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Sunday went on a walkabout in several areas in the federal territory of Kuala Lumpur, starting with Taman Billion Mewah where he braved a heavy downpour to meet more than 2,000 residents and members of NGOs of the Batu parliamentary constituency, and joined them for breakfast.

Muhyiddin, who was accompanied by his wife, Puan Sri Norainee Abdul Rahman, arrived at the housing estate at 8.30 am and was greeted by Federal Territories and Urban Well-being Minister Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin and Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

Addressing the people, Muhyiddin said it was vital for NGOs to maintain a close relationship with the government and understand all its policies.

In this way, they would be in a better position to bring up the people's problems for the government to find immediate solutions, he added.

Muhyiddin said the Barisan Nasional (BN) government strived to resolve the people's problems all the time and not only when elections were at hand.

"We work for the people all the time. We work to improve their livelihood," he said.

Referring to the Batu constituency, Muhyiddin said some of the problems identified there were related to hawkers, taxi drivers and the self-employed, as well as amenities.

These problems would be resolved by the agencies under the Federal Territories and Urban Well-being Ministry, including Kuala Lumpur City Hall, he said.

"I believe many programmes have been implemented to resolve the people's problems, but more can be done to improve their livelihood, now and in the future," he said.

At the event, Muhyiddin handed over a cheque for RM159,500 to four representatives of the Malay, Chinese, Indian and Sikh communities for the benefit of 225 NGOs in that area. Some of the money is to meet the needs of various houses of worship.

Muhyiddin and his wife also tried their hand at preparing "roti canai" for the breakfast they had with the people.

After about two hours there, Muhyiddin, along with Raja Nong Chik and Mohd Shafie, continued his walkabout in Kg Pindah, Kampung Baru, and also met with the residents of the Jalan Tun Razak Flats in Kampung Padang, Kampung Baru.

In Kg Pindah, Muhyiddin had a close look at the metre-deep sinkhole that appeared in Jalan Syed Mahadi during heavy rain and flash floods on April 14, forcing the evacuation of 40 families to Wisma Belia.

The deputy prime minister announced that RM300,000 had been allocated for Kumpulan Ikram Sdn Bhd to undertake a study to identify the cause of the sinkhole, the first to appear in that area.

A sum of RM500,000 was approved to repair the road, he said during the walkabout in the Jalan Tun Razak Flats area.

Muhyiddin also announced a RM450,000 allocation to give the seven blocks of the Jalan Tun Razak Flats a new coat of paint.

Muhyiddin said the government did not have any hidden intentions in developing Kampung Baru as it only wanted to ensure that "the valuable national asset is developed in tandem with the development around it".

As such, he said, it was hoped that the people of Kampung Baru, particularly the land owners, would support the government effort.

At the Jalan Tun Razak Flats, Muhyiddin called at the house of Fauziana Mohd Yatim, 17, who is wheelchair-bound because of a deformity of the legs from birth.

Fauziana, the youngest of six children of a security guard, expressed an interest to work, and Muhyiddin promised to have her enrolled for a tailoring course at a Mara activity centre next year when she turned 18.

He also said that he would have her RM100 monthly allowance from the Social Welfare Department raised to RM300 with immediate effect.

Muhyiddin then proceeded to the Matahir Restaurant in Kampung Baru to listen to the problems of about 30 Kuala Lumpur taxi drivers who raised matters related to summonses, enforcement and the rule imposed by some shopping malls requiring only their member taxi companies to pick up passengers there.

-- BERNAMA