JOHOR BARU: Two candidates in the Johor state election are MPs, who have to juggle their time campaigning down south and attending parliamentary sittings in Kuala Lumpur.
Pulai MP Suhaizan Kayat from Amanah is contesting in Larkin while PKR’s Batu Pahat MP Onn Abu Bakar is contesting in Senggarang.
“After chairing that meeting, I will return to Johor to campaign,” he said.
He said it was tiring, but he said he is determined to meet as many voters and listen to their problems.
Suhaizan, who is also a former speaker of the Johor state assembly, said he was fielded in Larkin as it borders his Pulai parliamentary seat.
“It was the party’s decision for me to take care of both these areas, as 70% of my parliamentary seat borders the state seat,” he said.
He said the issues widely discussed in Larkin are the need for public housing for young people, issues related to Malay reserve land, job opportunities, petty trader issues, and infrastructure such as roads.
Suhaizan is in a three-cornered fight with Barisan Nasional candidate Mohd Hairi Mad Shah and Parti Bersama Malaysia’s Nor Sinah Abu.
As for Onn, he said that his decision to contest the Senggarang seat was driven by requests from the local residents he served during his time as an MP.
The PKR candidate said the Batu Pahat parliamentary constituency comprises Penggaram, Senggarang and Rengit state seats, allowing him to build close ties with communities across the constituency over the years.
“After meeting mosque committee members, Chinese village representatives and other residents, many of them asked me to contest in Senggarang.
“I believe I am capable of serving them well, so I decided to offer myself as a candidate,” said the 63-year-old, who has been involved in politics for 35 years.
Onn, who is born in the area, acknowledged that campaigning during the Johor state election has required him to balance his duties as MP.
He said he missed only one or two parliamentary sittings since the campaign period began on June 27 after informing the Dewan Rakyat secretary.
“I will attend the parliamentary sitting before rushing back to Johor to campaign. My schedule is packed, but I have no issues with that,” he added.
If elected, Onn said he would prioritise improving Internet connectivity in Senggarang, adding that he has already worked with a local university to identify Internet blind spots in the constituency.
He also pledged to upgrade village roads, improve street lighting and expand technical and vocational education and training opportunities related to artificial intelligence.
Onn is in a three-cornered contest in Senggarang against Umno candidate Mohd Yusla Ismail and Bersatu candidate Mohd Rashid Hasnon.
