JOHOR BARU: Amanah’s Larkin candidate Suhaizan Kayat (pic) will be closely watched in the state polls as his “credentials” include being the Pulai MP and a former state assembly speaker.
He is among two serving MPs fielded by Pakatan Harapan – the other one is PKR’s Batu Pahat MP Onn Abu Bakar, who is eyeing Senggarang.
According to the 53-year-old, the Larkin state seat and his Pulai parliamentary are located next to each other and face similar issues related to housing, infrastructure and public transport.
“They are urban seats and can be considered mixed seats,” Suhaizan added.
Johor PKR secretary and former state exco member Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar, who is fielded in Semerah, said he hopes to continue where he left off the last time he was the assemblyman for the constituency.
He won the Semerah seat in the 2018 general election and became the Johor health, culture and heritage committee chairman before the change in government in 2022.
“Since Semerah is located in Batu Pahat, an industrial area, I hope to bring in more developments so that projects are not just focused in Johor Baru,” he said.
Mohd Khuzzan, 57, said this will be his fourth time contesting in an election.
He was previously fielded in Sri Gading in 2013, then Semerah in 2018 and 2022.
Sharon Teo, who is Amanah’s candidate for the Permas seat, was once a special officer to the late domestic trade and cost of living minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub.
“I learned a lot from my late boss, who always placed the people’s welfare first,” said Teo, 36.
As for Johor DAP Socialist Youth chief Lee Wern Yiing, it may be her first time contesting in the state election but she is no stranger to the Johor Jaya constituency.
Lee, 30, had worked as a special officer to incumbent assemblyman Liow Cai Tung for the past eight years
“I believe young women like me have the ability to bring the people’s voice into the state assembly,” said Lee, who is also pursuing a degree in political science.
