P#94 Hulu Selangor Snippets 3

Snippets 3 - Kerling hotter then the hot springs

Before the North South Expressway was built to connect Johore to the north, travellers who is driving up north to Penang or Kedah will need to take the Federal trunk road. This trunk roads are narrow, winding and passes by many towns and villages, which means many stops due to local vehicles, pedestrian and animals crossings, traffic lights and etc.

The good point is travellers will have the chance to savour local delicacies and fruits from stalls set up at the road side. On top of that there are many local attractions which tired travellers can take a rest and enjoy the nature offerings.

Kerling hot springs is one of them but I did not visit to the place until now. During the campaign trail, one of the stop is the Kerling Chinese new village which I was informed the local DAP branch has been surviving there thru thick and thin for so many years.

Basing on the banners and posters strewn all over, this must be a hot spot to be fought over, just like the hot springs further deeper inside the village.

Maybe will take a dip in the Kerling hot springs after all settled down. - Loka

P#94 Hulu Selangor Snippets 2

Snippets 2 - From 80 to 20

The Asam Kumbang new village in Kuala Kubu Baru has been MCA's stronghold for many years. The previous KKB assemblyman C'hng Toh Eng served there for many terms. The current assemblyman MCA's Wong Koon Mun won the seat with 448 majority against DAP's S. Ramu in the 2008 general election.

MCA is so strong in this village that 80% of the adult villagers are known to be members of the party. That's truly a remarkable feat until the 2008 Political Tsunami when the Selangor state government changes from BN to PR. This means the right to appoint the village chief are in the hands of the new government and a new village chief was duly appointed to replace the previous one.

The new village chief, Mr. Goh Tian Lai

Interestingly the new village chief, Goh Tian Lai, is also a life-long member of MCA! He divulged that after the PR government took over and provide the necessary support and assistance to the village, the support for MCA dropped from 80% to the current 20%! On the day I met him, he and some other villagers were busy making preparation in the village multipurpose community hall for the night's DAP event to campaign for PR candidate.

DAP dinner at the Asam Kumbang new village multipurpose hall

The pride of the village i.e. the multipurpose hall is managed by the village security and welfare committee headed by the village chief. The hall has been fully used for PR events during the by-election period. The MCA ends up have to set up tents at the road side and other open space for their events. Now they know how it feels to be in the opposition! - Loka

P#94 Hulu Selangor Snippets 1

Snippets 1 - Not too old to change

Mr. Hong, the Hainanese owner of the Yoot Loy Coffeeshop in Kuala Kubu Baru is 80 this year. He started his coffeshop more than 30 years ago with the support of his friends. He was a former Homeguards security member during the Emergency period ( 1948 - 1960). He is still waiting for a letter of commendation from the government for his service to the King and country.

Photographs of both Prime Minister Najib Razak and Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim having a drink (only black coffee, not Johnnie Walker Black Label ) in different occasions are pasted on opposite walls of the shop. Hong junior was disappointed when he saw Lim Kit Siang outside the shop few days ago but Kit Siang did not walk in. As a businessman he welcomes all to his shop, disregard of their political affiliations. As long as they pay for their bills!

His crypted response and body language tells that even if he is a card carrying member of MCA, which is part of the BN coalition, his vote on April 25 may not necessary goes to the coalition. The claims of 8,000 MCA members amongst the 16,000 voters in Hulu Selangor may be true but turning that into votes for BN is another matter altogether.

By the way, the toast with home made kaya spread and butter is one of the most popular item in this shop.- Loka