KLUANG: Just hours after scoring a thumping win in the Mahkota by-election, newly elected assemblyman Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah is already getting down to the business of serving his constituents.
One of his key targets is to ensure that 80% of all affordable housing projects for the constituency are completed by 2026.
“This is something that is important for locals. I want to ensure that ongoing projects for affordable houses reach the target that the state government has set.“By the year 2026, we should be able to see at least 80% of these projects completed. I believe this is an attainable goal as the state government has also been very consistent in its policies,” said the Kluang Umno Youth chief.
Another priority is to solve Mahkota’s flash floods and help B40 residents deal with higher costs of living.
“Many are in need of assistance to cope and I hope to be able to come out with programmes that cater to those in the B40 category and support existing initiatives by the state government,” he told reporters after meeting Mahkota residents at a coffee shop yesterday.
The first thing Syed Hussien did yesterday morning was to visit the grave of his father, who passed away just days before he filled his nomination papers to contest the by-election.
He then went on a walkabout to personally thank voters for his victory which saw him garnering 27,995 votes to secure a 20,648-vote majority.
His rival from Perikatan Nasional obtained 7,348 votes.
“This victory is not just about Syed Hussien, but it is a victory for everyone. This includes state leaders, Umno and component parties under Barisan Nasional, Pakatan Harapan and voters.
“I am very thankful for the unwavering support I have received and will do my best to serve the people of Mahkota,” he said.
Syed Hussien is expected to be sworn in as the Mahkota assemblyman on Thursday.
The by-election was called when the Mahkota state seat became vacant when its assemblyman, Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain from Umno, passed away on Aug 2.
Sharifah Azizah won the seat in the March 2022 Johor state election by a 5,166-winning majority, beating three other candidates from Perikatan, Pakatan Harapan and Parti Warisan.
