VOTERS in Parit Yaani, Johor, are calling for better-paying jobs, faster flood mitigation works and sustained development across the constituency.
While acknowledging that several long-awaited projects had materialised in recent years, residents said the next elected representative must focus on strengthening economic opportunities and maintaining development momentum.
Located in Batu Pahat, the constituency is home to communities whose livelihoods range from agriculture and small businesses to manufacturing and services sector.
For many families, employment remained the biggest challenge.
A. Rajendran, 56, who is self-employed, said the lack of industries in the constituency had forced many young people to seek employment elsewhere.
“There should be more job opportunities in Parit Yaani.
“Many youths have to look for work in Johor Baru, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur because there are not enough factories here,” he said.
Rajendran added that many residents were also grappling with the rising cost of living, making higher-paying jobs outside the constituency an attractive option.
His concerns echoed those of many residents who believed stronger economic growth was needed to encourage young people to remain in Parit Yaani instead of migrating to larger cities.
Besides employment, flood mitigation continues to be a key concern, particularly after the severe floods that hit parts of Batu Pahat in 2023.
Housewife Tan Yi Xuan, 49, said many families were still traumatised by the disaster and hoped the authorities would expedite long-promised flood mitigation projects.
“We hope the flood mitigation projects can be completed quickly to reduce the risk of future floods,” she said.
Tan added that residents wanted greater peace of mind during the monsoon season, especially those living in low-lying areas.
Despite these concerns, several voters acknowledged that visible improvements had taken place across the constituency since the last state election.
Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Shah Alam civil engineering student Muhammad Razin Hazimi, 23, described the completion of SMK Suria Jaya as a significant achievement.
He said residents had waited 15 years for a secondary school in the area.
“Previously, students had to travel over 10km to attend secondary school.
“The new school has made education much more accessible for families here,” Muhammad Razin said.
He also acknowledged efforts to beautify public spaces and improve landscaping in parts of the constituency, saying these initiatives had enhanced Parit Yaani’s image.
He described the constituency as having a unique mix of villages, commercial areas and limited industrial zones.
Besides SMK Suria Jaya, he said that educational institutions such as SMK Datuk Menteri, SMK Tunku Putra and the nearby Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia added value to the constituency.
Muhammad Razin said continued investment in education and infrastructure would help attract businesses while creating better employment opportunities for local youths.
Sales and marketing executive Nurizzah Naszreena Mohd Salme, 27, said the constituency had improved over the past four years.
She noted that areas in Parit Yaani town were once poorly lit at night, but had since seen significant improvements.
She also welcomed development in Tongkang Pechah, saying upgrades had benefitted residents, particularly during emergencies when the area served as a flood relief centre.
Nurizzah Naszreena also wanted flood mitigation works to be completed, and hoped plans to further develop Tongkang Pechah would be realised.
A constituency that blends traditional villages, bustling commercial centres and growing residential areas, Parit Yaani has emerged as one of Johor’s closely watched seats as voters prepare to cast their ballots in the state election.
With 44,741 registered voters, Parit Yaani, a state seat under Sri Gading parliamentary constituency, has a diverse electorate comprising 54.92% Malays, 42.73% Chinese, 0.94% Indians and 1.40% from other communities.
This makes Parit Yaani one of the more mixed constituencies where candidates will need to appeal across racial and socio-economic lines.
Incumbent Barisan Nasional’s Datuk Mohamad Najib Samuri won the seat in the 2022 Johor state election with a 294 majority vote in a four-cornered fight against candidates from Pakatan Harapan, Perikatan Nasional and Pejuang.
Johor last held a state election on March 12, 2022, when Barisan secured a two-thirds majority after winning 40 of the 56 seats.
Pakatan secured 12 seats, PN with three seats while Muda took one seat.
