Wan Azizah impossible to reach online

The Kajang state rep is among 22 others who cannot be reached via major online platforms.

PETALING JAYA: Kajang state assemblyperson Wan Azizah Ismail was among 22 others who never answered emails, Facebook messages or tweets left by troubled constituents desperately trying to make contact with them.

This was the findings of independent non-governmental organisation Kuasa, that just concluded a second round of tests on the responsiveness of 115 Perak and Selangor state assemblymen.

Praba Ganesan, chief executive of Kuasa said, “…we were not able to get Dr Wan Azizah to respond in any of the three platforms”.

He added, “Messages sent by troubled constituents to these platforms of her’s go unanswered.”

He registered surprise over this as according to him, “…it is quite clear that either Wan Azizah herself or her technical support group frequently update her twitter and FB accounts”.

Explaining that this was not exclusive to Wan Azizah, Praba added, “We are talking about Perak and Selangor elected reps from both Pakatan Rakyat (PR) and Barisan Nasional (BN) who have been unresponsive to emails, Facebook messages and tweets concerning the rakyat’s problems.”

The test found that 10 PR assemblypersons and 12 from BN either were ignorant of these social media tools or did not bother to return urgent requests concerning a variety of issues that affected the rakyat.

These included queries on food stall licences (email); dialysis aid (Facebook) and loan forms for university entry (Twitter).

To remedy this problem, Praba advised elected reps to hire professional IT staff to clear, manage and monitor all online information so they could be seen as more reliable in the eyes of the public.

He also suggested that the Perak and Selangor governments consider assisting elected reps to handle communication needs as “it will help them in the present and the future.

He justified this by explaining that the younger generation preferred online modes of communication.

Thankfully the exercise also found quite a number of assemblypersons who were indeed responsive and worked hard to make contact with constituents.

“Those that responded to the emails, FB messages and tweets showed great concern about the rakyat’s problems.

They returned messages … and called repeatedly to connect to the person needing help,” Praba explained.

Some “super performers” who responded via all platforms were Howard Lee (DAP, Pasir Pinji); Tan Kar Hing (PKR, Simpang Pulai); Ng Tien Chee (DAP, Balakong), Haniza Talha (PKR, Taman Medan); Teng Chang Kim (DAP, Sungai Pinang); Ganabatirau Veraman (DAP, Kota Shah Alam); Loh Chee Heng (DAP, Teluk Datuk); Lee Kee Hiong (DAP, Kuala Kubu Baru); and Ng Sze Han (DAP; Kinrara).

The overall response of the test carried out from September 28 to October 9, also showed that the level of responsiveness had increased when compared to the pilot round conducted in March 30 this year.