Staying healthy on the campaign trail in Johor

JOHOR BARU: Maintaining a good diet is how 71-year-old Tosrin Jarvanthi, the oldest candidate in the Johor state election, stays fit and healthy.

Tosrin, who is defending his Bukit Permai seat, stressed the importance of going for regular medical check-ups every three months.

He doesn’t smoke and regularly eats various kinds of fruits.

“I practise a healthy diet and every three months, I go for medical check-ups. I also reduce eating food high in cholesterol and instead go for fruits,” he said.

Tosrin, who will be contesting under the Perikatan Nasional banner, is in a four-cornered contest with Umno’s Mohd Jafni Md Shukor, Azrol Rahani of Muda and Mokhtar Abdul Wahab of Pejuang.

He won the Bukit Permai seat under Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia in 2018 after garnering 10,998 votes against Umno’s 8,467 votes and 1,392 from PAS.

MIC Youth chief Raven Kumar Krishnasamy, who is contesting the Tenggaroh seat, said it is important to drink lots of water during the 14-day campaigning period.

“Sometimes it’s hard to avoid eating food because you don’t want to disrespect people when they offer food to you.

“So, you eat a bit and make sure you drink lots of water.

“Just remember to take your vitamins and always have a good night’s sleep,” he added.

Barisan Nasional MCA candidate for Perling, Tan Hiang Kee exercises more than once a week.

“Exercising and eating healthy are equally important,” she added.

Kempas candidate Napsiah Khamis from PKR said she makes time for proper meals and drinks enough water despite her hectic campaign programme.

“I’ve been on the ground meeting people daily for my social work for the past 20 years.

“I also take vitamin C daily and I make sure that my health is not neglected during the campaign period,” she said, adding that she also avoids consuming cold drinks to prevent coming down with influenza.

Napsiah said she would do a Covid-19 self-test every morning before hitting the campaign trail to meet voters.

DAP’s Liow Cai Tung, who is defending the Johor Jaya seat, said she treats her walkabouts during her campaign trail as her 10,000 steps a day workout.

She also makes it a point to consume honey daily to preserve her voice for the many ceramah sessions.

She also needs to speak loudly during her speeches so that people can hear her clearly when she talks with her face mask on.

“It is always tough to maintain a healthy lifestyle during the campaigning period. I usually also sample the food offered to me during my walkabouts as a way of supporting local businesses,” she added.

Voting for the Johor election will be held this Saturday.