JOHOR BARU: Candidates in the Johor election are striving to maintain their momentum and energy as they enter the second week of gruelling campaigning.
Barisan Nasional’s Senai candidate Tai Chee Chee, 32, has been waking up at 5am to begin her campaign with only three to four hours of sleep.
“As women, we are at a disadvantage because people tend to compare how we look in person with our campaign posters.
“But my priority is engaging with voters and getting my message across,” she said.
“I put on light makeup at the start of the day to look presentable, but there is no time to touch up, so I look jaded in the evening.”
Tai added that the tight schedule was also challenging as her team was constantly battling traffic to ensure she arrived on time for campaign programmes, social media live sessions and video recordings.
“The experience has reinforced my commitment to tackling traffic congestion and flash floods in Senai if elected.”.
Tai added that she was grateful her voice had held up since campaigning began, crediting it to speech training she had received beforehand.
She said the support she had received during her campaign had also strengthened her determination.
“This has kept me going despite missing my three daughters immensely,” she said.
Pakatan Harapan’s Sungai Balang candidate Ayna Soraya Badaruddin, 31, said time management was essential in balancing campaigning with running a business and caring for her two children.
Nicknamed “Akak Kapal” for her career in the shipping, and oil and gas industry, Ayna Soraya lamented that women candidates often face scrutiny over their appearance.
“There are expectations for us to always look presentable while handling a packed campaign schedule, but I hope voters will focus on our ability to serve rather than our appearance,” she said.
Despite facing scepticism as a young female candidate, Ayna Soraya said she was determined to earn voters’ confidence through hard work and service.
Barisan’s Serom candidate Nadhirah Afiqah Abdull Rahim, 32, said she had listened to the advice and feedback received during her first week of campaigning.
She said there had been a mix of positive and negative feedback, which was normal during a campaign, and added that she was taking it in stride.
As the sole Puteri Umno representative, she said her goal was to leverage Serom’s strategic location between Muar and Melaka by setting up modern sports facilities in the constituency.
Barisan’s Layang-Layang candidate Chua Jian Boon, 33, said his previous experience contesting a parliamentary seat had helped him prepare better.
“The experience taught me how to manage long days on the road, engage with voters more effectively and adapt quickly to the packed daily schedule,” he said.
Chua also hopes to leverage his experience in politics and as a special officer for Chinese affairs under Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi’s administration to develop practical solutions aligned with the Maju Johor 2030 vision.
Bersatu’s Bukit Pasir candidate Mohd Idzharruddin Mohd Nasirruddin, 34, said he had received an encouraging response during his campaign.
“The first week of campaigning has been challenging, but I believe I stand a good chance, especially as I have been active in politics and am well known in the community.”
He expressed confidence that he would win the support of young and first-time voters, who make up a significant portion of the electorate.
Parti Bersama Malaysia’s Bukit Batu candidate G. Tamili, 29, said that although she was a first-time candidate, she had been active in politics since she was 18.
She added that she had previously helped campaign for candidates during the Johor election in March 2022 and the 15th General Election later that year.
“However, being a candidate is a completely different challenge because I now have to face voters directly,” she said.
