MyPPP’s Loga Bala Mohan stepped up to the plate when his former party president, M Kayveas, didn’t.
Taking on DAP in the Chinese-majority seat is one thing. Taking on the popular Hannah Yeoh makes it all the more challenging for Loga.
Being a two-term senator, losing would spell the end for Loga as a member of the Cabinet.
There are 77,000 voters in Segambut, with 59% Chinese, 28% Malays, 12% Indians and 2% others.
Loga believes he stands a 50-50 chance, given his track record as deputy federal territories minister and past work for the people of Segambut.
“So far, the reception I’ve received is good. Whether it will translate into votes is another matter.
“From day one till today, the last day of campaigning, my strategy has been all about meeting the people and hearing what they want first-hand.”
Penang-born Loga said that aside from his own track record of resolving issues, he may benefit from the non-performance of the incumbent, Lim Lip Eng.
“I believe people can evaluate how the opposition leaders move from place to place. Yeoh could’ve gone straight to Kepong when she decided to contest a parliamentary seat.
“But she came to Segambut and Lim ran to Kepong. Why? Perhaps DAP thought their chances would be harmed if Lim stayed here due to him not doing enough for the people.
“After all, Teresa Kok, Fong Kui Lun and Tan Kok Wai remained in their seats.”
Loga said one of the biggest challenges he faced was pleasing everyone in KL.
“In the past five years, our priority was the bottom 40 income (B40) group. We had to prioritise them, while trying to transform Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).
“We focused on the housing woes of the city’s poor and initiatives to uplift them, such as welfare programmes and the Kad Ceria, which helps the poor obtain discounts for groceries.”
Loga said if these measures weren’t taken, the living standard gap between the B40 and medium 40 would be too wide and this was unhealthy for society.
“I do understand and hear KL residents’ complaints on DBKL services and better infrastructure. I hope they understand why we had to prioritise the B40 these past five years.”
Loga said now that the foundations had been laid to uplift the B40, if elected, he would focus on taking DBKL to the next level, improving services and infrastructure.
“I understand the sentiments of Chinese voters but I hope they see that I want to serve them and have proven I can do so.
“If you vote for someone who can’t resolve your problem, you’ll be stuck with them for five years.”