After pilot project's success, Halimey promises more libraries in Seri Setia

SERI SETIA POLLS | What used to be an abandoned community hall near a low-cost housing project at Kampung Lindungan, five months ago, has since been transformed into a public library with the use of containers.

Harapan candidate Halimey Abu Bakar said when he was a Petaling Jaya city councilor, he had discussed the project about two years ago, with then Seri Setia assemblyperson Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

On the sixth day of campaigning, Halimey during a visit to the library, revealed plans to set up a similar facility at Lembah Subang, which falls under the Ara Damansara polling district.

"This is a first-of-its kind project here. We have various facilities including meeting rooms, a prayer room, discussion room, and nursing room.

"We also have an empty space outside where at night we can have movie screenings," said Halimey who said that the project had cost approximately RM700,000 and was fully funded by the Selangor Public Library Corporation.

The exterior of the metal containers is bright yellow and blue, while the library's interior has been painted white, with one room dedicated to younger children decorated with purple carpets and bold-coloured furniture.

Besides reading, children at the library could also spend their time playing educational games or certain computer games.

"It used to be that parents would not know where their children went during their free time," Halimey said, adding that the local residents are also involved in the management of the library.

Library manager Asri Atan, who accompanied Halimey and his team, said that the facility has become a popular after-school spot for children in the area.

"They come here straight from school. Some days, we can get 50 to 60 children here," he added.

Prior to the library's opening, Asri, who has lived in the area for over 25 years, said the abandoned hall used to attract vandals and drug addicts.

"We do have social problems among the youths. Loitering, smoking and even cases of theft (are common)," he admitted.

Asri also noted that some of the children came from broken homes and he had taken the initiative to guide the ones who now spend their time at the library.

'More public tuition centres'

Aside from setting-up another community library, Halimey also revealed his plans to push for more community halls to be used as public tuition centres.

"We are aware that in many low-cost houses, space is limited for children to spend time studying and revising," he said during his daily press conference held at Harapan's main operations centre at SS5 here.

"Not only do we have plans to open more libraries or tuition centres, we can also plan for various activities to be conducted there, with guidance from volunteers and tutors," said Halimey who will be going up against PAS' Dr Halimah Mohd Ali in the Sept 8 polls.

Some 52,650 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots in the by-election brought about by the passing of incumbent Shaharuddin Badaruddin on Aug 2.

Shaharuddin won the seat in the 14th general election with a majority of 19,372 votes defeating BN candidate Yusoff M Haniff, Mohd Ghazali Daud of PAS and independent candidate S Vigneswaran. -Mkini