Q & A with 'Datuk Fixit' who wants to be Bukit Bintang MP

The following is the Q & A with Datuk Shamsubahrin Ismail, who is known as the 'Datuk fixit' in the NFCorp scandal. He says that he would be contesting in Bukit Bintang parliamentary seat as an independent candidate:

AWANI: You came into the limelight in circumstances that you might not have liked. Can you perhaps introduce yourself to those who do not know you?

Shamsubahrin: I’m just a normal Malaysian bumiputera, just another Malay guy. I run my own business from consultation to many other businesses that I have. One of the biggest business that I have is that I am the person who created the taxi management system for KLCC. Since 12 to 13 years ago, KLCC has always been a black district for taxis and tourists often got cheated or robbed by irresponsible taxi drivers.

So one day I submitted my proposal to KLCC and they are willing to listen, they are willing to engage and test my system. Today my system shows the best and good results with KLCC. Every passenger comes to KLCC they have to go to the taxi service counter that we have provided and all the information about taxi drivers is there. This can curb crime and cheating. This is under Taxi Management System Sdn Bhd. I also run Taxi Services Sdn Bhd where I am the director and I have my own fleet of blue taxis. All the taxis in KLCC are my members. When they become a member they have to sign a contract, can’t do any hanky panky.

I am also doing consultation and other businesses. For example the NFC project where I came in. I also help professional foreigners in human resources. To prepare documents, to liaise with the government so that people like lawyers or accountants or doctors who want to come into Malaysia to work can do so.

When was the first instance you thought about going into politics?

Actually many years ago, when I was 25 or 30 years old. I spoke to my late father, who is a good friends to many Johor Umno leaders. His name was Datuk Laksamana Ismail Md Tom and he was in the army and then later a businessman. He advised me never do things with the government, never go into politics, because he has seen how bad politics can be. But I decided long time ago that I wanted to do it, but I kept quiet in respect to him. However, I had always been active in Johor, following politicians such as the late Tan Sri Mohamed Rahmat of Kulai.

Are you doing this as an act of revenge? Why did you decide on Bukit Bintang of all places?

No. Why must I choose Bukit Bintang if I wanted revenge? I also got connections in Penang, I have been serving a lot of hotels, they know my characters, and what I’ve done to help the poor people. So it is not revenge.

Bukit Bintang is a Chinese majority area. Why I choose that area is because for more than 50 years the area has been managed and controlled by DAP and they have been too comfortable there in every election. They sit down, eat, drink, sleep, wear a tie go to parliament, go home and sleep: they’ve done nothing. What you see in Bukit Bintang today, is not what the parliamentarians did, it’s other people. What I want to do today is to make a change, change the member of parliament. If they do good, if they fought for the rakyat, Bukit Bintang won’t be what it would be today, it would be much more better.

So why should people vote for you? What do you plan to do if you became the Bukit Bintang MP?

I want to turn BB into the world destination for business and tourism. If possible I want to create a 24-hour shopping street. That’s more income for everyone.

Secondly, I want to take out all the foreigners who rent shops here and do business illegally. They are like Ali Babas in Jalan Alor, where the majority of people there are no more locals, why is DBKL allowing them to do business without license? When the local apply it’s difficult, but the foreigners get it easy, why? I also want Jalan Alor became famous food centre, upgrade it into a well-known halal and multicultural food centre.

We have to clear everything up and make things proper. Bukit Bintang needs that but the Chinese cannot voice out because DBKL is controlled by the non-chinese. The MP is a Chinese but he can’t fight DBKL and he is not fighting for their rights.

Also, it is very hard for the Chinese to get low cost (PPR) houses. This is the job of the MP. Just because they are Chinese, they cannot be neglected from getting PPR houses. That’s wrong. Now there is too many red tapes. These are all issues with internal DBKL. Now I have been painted in the media that I wanted to bribe the police, but today people will know who I really am... I am someone who will fight against bribery. I will fight all the way.

Anything else?

I also want to bring down the quit rent (cukai pintu) in KL especially. It is killing all the property owners now and DBKL doesn’t even do much work, they are not being efficient. Now they are spending a lot of money on enforcement, what they do? Nothing. There are so many problems such as illegal taxis, buses, and crime. There is a lot of work to be done.

On your candidacy, you say you are an independent?

Yes, independent. I made a study of Bukit Bintang, this time around, independent has a bigger chance, a brighter future there. Because the residents of Bukit Bintang, for more than 50 years, they’ve gone through all the problems with the MP. DAP is too comfortable, they know they don’t need to campaign, they know the Chinese would vote for them. My problem is this: Are they prepared to change. Bebas or not bebas it doesn’t matter, DAP, MCA, Gerakan, whatever.

Are you an independent who is Pakatan friendly or BN friendly?

Boss, I am independent. I never see yet where Umno is going in this election. To be very frank with you, I have always been a Umno fan, since my late father’s time.

Naturally, people would wonder whether you are just here to spoil the votes, what do you say to that?

No I am not, I am going to fight for the votes. I don’t have much money. I also want to be the mayor of Kuala Lumpur. My aim is to win the seat and in order for me to bring up Bukit Bintang and KL. Therefore local elections is a must. I am going in seriously, I will not back out last minute.

How did your family react to your plan? How are you going to campaign here?

I told my family and they thought I was joking. But my sister is working closely with me and I have everything planned out. We are launching a website soon, the public can also contact me anytime at this point to tell me their issues. Call me at 01115310304 or email me at [email protected]