JOHOR BARU: At least 19 of the Barisan Nasional candidates for the upcoming Johor state election are fresh faces, while 31 of the candidates fielded are incumbents.
No fewer than five candidates are party veterans who returned to contest, including former heath minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba.
Endau candidate Alwiyah Talib stood out in the crowd as she contested under the Barisan ticket in 2022 before switching to Bersatu and then rejoining Barisan several weeks ago.
Barisan is fielding her again in the same seat.
As for Umno Ledang puteri chief Nadhirah Afiqah Abdull Rahim, she said she was honoured to be chosen as a Barisan candidate in the Serom state seat.
“I am very grateful to Johor Barisan chairman Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi for entrusting me (with the responsibility) to become a candidate in defending the seat in the coming Johor state election,” the 32-year-old added.
Nadhirah Afiqah also said she received support from her family members, particularly her father, Datuk Abdull Rahim Talib, who is Umno Ledang division chief.
Tenggara Umno division youth chief Dr Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali, 41, said he would work hard to make sure Panti remains a stronghold for Barisan.
“Some might say that constituencies located in eastern Johor, including Panti, are a fortress for Umno and Barisan.
“But that does not mean I will take things easy.
“About 45% of the voters in Panti are those aged 40 years and below. I will continue to reach out to all voters to make sure they give their full support towards Barisan,” he added.
Puteri Wangsa candidate Teow Chia Ling, 42, said she is prepared to face the new challenge.
“Although this is my first time contesting, I am not new to the constituency as I have been on the ground in the area for many years.
“It will indeed be a challenge, especially as Puteri Wangsa is the second-largest constituency in Johor, but I will do my best,” said Teow, a Johor Baru City Council councillor.
As for Yap Zhi Peng, who is contesting the Mengkibol seat, he said he would do his best to engage with as many voters as possible.
“I am thankful for the opportunity and will do my best to win the seat in the hope of giving Mengkibol a better future,” said the 32-year-old.
Yap, who previously worked in Singapore before recently returning to his hometown in Kluang, said he hopes to create more job opportunities there.
Meanwhile, MIC candidate for Perling B. Pannir Selvam, 54, is banking on his track record as a five-term councillor who has been working in the area.
“I have been involved in various programmes in the area and hope to look into environment and safety issues in the area if elected,” he said.
Pannir Selvam also noted that traffic congestion is a key problem in the area.
Kahang candidate V. Rugendran, 29, said he would use social media platforms to engage more effectively with young voters in the area.
“I will work hard to get the support of local voters,” he added.
