JOHOR BARU: Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) has unveiled the 15 candidates who will be contesting in the Johor state election on the eve of Nomination Day.
Party leader Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli said the candidates fielded are everyday people and not big names in politics.
“We can see how political parties today fight among themselves for power and positions, but overlook the rakyat’s issues.
“In South Johor, especially Johor Baru, traffic congestion is a pressing problem.
“The rapid developments, including investments brought by Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, have also driven up property prices and made it difficult for people to own homes, while salaries do not match the developments,” he said on Friday (June 26).
Rafizi said the candidates were filtered from 73 applications, where 67% of those chosen are aged 50 and below. Three are women.
Bersama president Syukri Razab announced that Tamili Gopalakrishnan would contest in Bukit Batu, which was the sole seat won by PKR’s Arthur Chiong Sern Sen in the last state election.
Aside from that, Bersama fielded Nicholas Paul Vincent in Puteri Wangsa, and he is expected to go against PKR’s Dr Maszlee Malik, MCA’s Teow Chia Ling and Muda’s Rashifa Aljunied.
The party also fielded Iskandar Md Alias in Bukit Naning, Abd Hamid Ali in Mahkota, Dr Harith Fakhrudin Abdul Malek in Tiram, Lau Yi Leong in Johor Jaya, Dr Zamil Najwah in Permas and Norsinah Abu in Larkin.
Meanwhile, Stanley Tan is expected to stand in Stulang, Boo Wei Han in Perling, Salamahafifi Yusnaieny in Kempas, Eugene Chua in Skudai, Sahrudin Omar in Kota Iskandar, Aidil Riduan Mohd Yusof in Bukit Permai and Tew Chian How in Senai.
Johor Jaya, Stulang, Perling, Skudai and Senai were held by DAP, while Muda won Puteri Wangsa in the last election.
Bukit Naning, Mahkota, Larkin, Permas, Kempas, Tiram, Bukit Permai, and Kota Iskandar were held by Umno.
Johor will go to the polls on July 11 after a two-week campaigning period, with early voting set for July 7.
