Johor polls: Focus on state issues during campaigning, says BN Perling candidate

JOHOR BARU: Candidates and party leaders should focus on issues concerning Johor and not federal matters during the campaigning period, says a candidate for the Perling state seat.

Barisan Nasional candidate Tan Hiang Kee said mixing both would blur the focus for voters.

“After all, this is a state election and not a general election.

“The focus now is how we can move Johor forward as a state and stabilise its economy and make the locals’ lives better instead of harping on national issues to canvas for votes during their campaign trail and ceramah,” she said in a statement on Sunday (Feb 27).

The first-time candidate from MCA said she noticed many Pakatan Harapan leaders often raised federal issues in their interviews and campaign trail instead of issues that concern the Johor people.

“Such issues involve electing MPs in the Federal Government, they’re not things that can be resolved in a state election.

“Voters should be able to tell them apart and not be swayed by candidates from other parties.

“I believe this is their bid to confuse the voters, especially when the Johor voters will be the first ones eligible to vote at age 18,” said the 38-year-old.

With a crowded Johor election this time round, Tan believes that voters would be spoilt for choice in the upcoming polls set for March 12.

She hopes all candidates would focus on launching their own manifesto for their respective constituencies so that voters can make an informed choice.

“The voters want someone who thinks about what is best for the constituency, not someone who does not know much about the area they are contesting in,” said the councillor for the Iskandar Puteri City Council.