MERSING: Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi doesn’t see a problem in fielding former Perikatan Nasional candidate Alwiyah Talib for the Endau state seat under Barisan Nasional’s ticket.
He added that she had returned to Barisan under the Rumah Bangsa initiative, which was mooted by party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“The grassroots have accepted her return.
“She is a good leader who works for the people, and we do not have a problem accepting her back,” he said while visiting the Barisan machinery here yesterday during the third day of campaigning.
During the Johor election in 2022, Alwiyah, who represented Perikatan, retained the Endau state seat with a majority of 3,041 votes in a five-cornered contest.
She won the seat in the 14th General Election on the Barisan ticket before joining Bersatu.
The Endau seat, which is almost 80% Malay majority with 28,767 registered voters, saw a four-cornered contest involving Alwiyah, Saiful Nizam Samat from Pakatan Harapan, Hasnul Hakimi Hussien (Perikatan) and Jati Awang, a candidate from the Parti Orang Asli Malaysia (Asli).
Meanwhile Alwiyah, has emphasised that the issue of a “political home” is not her main concern. Instead, her priority is to continue working to represent the voice of the people in the constituency.
She added she is steadfast in her decision to continue serving the community despite various sentiments regarding her renomination under the Barisan ticket in the state election.
“Whichever ‘home’ it is, for me, that is not the main issue because what is more important is to continue to represent their (the people’s) voices.”
Alwiyah said she offers experience, commitment and dedication to continue bringing development, strengthening the local economy, and ensuring the welfare of the people remains a priority.
“Hopefully, with the unwavering support of all the people of Endau, we will move forward to build a more advanced, prosperous, and harmonious Endau for everyone,” she said.
She urged all parties to maintain harmony, respect the democratic process and avoid provocation.
