Bukit Selambau

The resignation recently of ADUN Bukit Selambau hail from Pakatan Rakyat (he joined PR after winning the election early last year as an independence candidate) has thrown this small town located 20 km from Sungai Petani into prominence, gripping the attention and subject of conversation of all political leaders and masses alike. DUN Bukit Selambau voters will again elect their YB through by-election due to be held in April.
I am very familiar with Bukit Selambau and I know every corner of it. I was once a student of Sekolah Rendah Bukit Selambau from standard two to four before I joined Special Malay Class in Ibrahim Primary School Sungai Petani. When I was in Secondary School I commuted by bus from Bukit Selambau to the school in Sungai Petani up until I finished my secondary school.
During emergency rules (in the fifties), Bukit Selambau was declared a black area by the government due to the presence of communist insurgents in the area and was put under curfew from 7 pm to 7 am. To cut the insurgent food supply, the town was completely fenced and heavily guarded by soldiers. Purchasing of foods such as rice, sugar, flour by kampung folks were also controlled. They could only purchase these controlled food items from 7 am to 7 pm when the curfew would be temporarily lifted. Purchasing could only be done through special permit and the amount of foods bought was also controlled (enough for the family consumption) and subject to checking by the guards at checkpoint. Harassment from time to time by communist insurgents made kampung life at that time tough and difficult.
In the sixties the primary products produced by the people here were tapioca, groundnuts and rubbers. The Malays were mostly rubber tappers and the Chinese grew tapioca and groundnuts.
But now, the Malays here are more enterprising, getting involve in many kinds of business activities. Presently pineapples are much grown here and it seems to become one of the the main product of Bukit Selambau , and I can assure you that pineapples planted here are the best. Bukit Selambau is also well-known for its seasonal fruits such as cempedak, rambutan and durian.
Inhabitants of Bukit Selambau are soon to see leaders of political parties coming prior to the by-election. Beware of politicians who give empty promises. Do not be easily influenced by these goody politicians. My advice to the BN and PR, field local Malay as election candidates. My advice to the voters -VOTE JUDICIOUSLY.