Some local leaders have voiced their support for former Federal Territory Deputy Minister Datuk Loga Bala Mohan to be a Barisan Nasional candidate in the forthcoming 15th General Election (GE15).
Umno Bukit Bintang division chairman Datuk Seri Zainal Rafique, Brickfields Business Council committee member S. Krisna Kumar Sitaram and Kampung Pandan Action Committee chairman TM Padmanathan are all like-minded that Loga Bala would be a credible candidate for BN.
“BN definitely needs a hardworking, well-mannered and kindhearted person like Loga Bala as a candidate.
“BN should field Loga Bala in a winnable constituency,” they said.
Zainal said during his time the deputy minister, Loga Bala had worked tirelessly to resolve public issues and assist the lower income group.
“He was always kind with the people and always listened to their predicament.
“He has always acted decisively to resolve the people’s grouses.
“He would be a good candidate for BN provided he gets the right seat,” said the Umno strongman.
Krisna Kumar praised Loga Bala for his assistance rendered to Brickfields traders.
He said the former deputy minister helped to place petty traders, like florists and eatery owners, to in new strategic premises to boost their businesses.
During festive seasons, he said Loga Bala would fast track licensing approvals for traders without disruption from local authorities.
“He has been a people-orientated man, never denied anyone the opportunity to highlight any issue to him.
“He was hands on in resolving public issues.
“He will surely be a good candidate for BN,” said Krisna.
Through Loga Bala’s initiative, the Federal Territory Ministry spent nearly RM20million to upgrade and expand the Brickfields ‘Little India’ town in Kuala Lumpur.
Loga Bala has surely built a credible reputation as a people-orientated leader during his tenure as deputy minister between 2013 and 2018.
He had implemented many public projects under his ministry to benefit the lower income people.
One of his remarkable projects was the Kuala Lumpur Squatter Compensation Unit (SCU) policy, under which the previous BN federal government was to build 1,000 cheap houses for resettlement of displaced poor squatter residents.
The houses comprised 300 flat units in Kampung Pandan, followed by another 500 units in Sentul and 200 units in Bukit Kiara.
The BN government under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had built and completed the Kampung Pandan project but could not commence the other projects as it was ousted from Putrajaya in the 14th General Election (GE14).
Padmanathan praises Loga for settling the Kampung Pandan squatter issue without any glitch, street protest or legal wrangle.
He said Loga Bala managed to provide each household a subsidised RM42,000 flat unit.
He said Loga Bala also secured full housing loans with a mere 2% administrative charges per annum from the Government if Malaysia through Yayasan Wilayah Persekutuan (YWP) for the squatter residents to purchase their flat units, besides giving each household RM19,500 cash compensation.
