BATU PAHAT: As the DAP’s youngest candidate in the Johor polls, Felicia Poh Rui Ling wants to identify with the latest digital trends.
“We are in the AI and digital era, and the younger generation is more familiar with social media and technology. I plan to use these tools to reach out to people more directly,” said Pakatan Harapan’s Penggaram candidate.
To balance things, the 28-year-old said her campaign was also focused on community development, senior citizens and local government issues.
She wants to create more opportunities in entrepreneurship, jobs and skills training to encourage young workers to remain in Batu Pahat.
With Batu Pahat being famous for its food, Poh is also out to promote Penggaram as a food, tourism and cultural haven to boost its economy.
The marketing graduate said she has been involved in business since her student days, helping with her aunt’s textile business, managing sales work and later assisting her cousin’s nail salon before Covid-19 struck.
“My background in marketing and business will help me serve the people better. People usually turn to their elected representative first when faced with issues,” added the Batu Pahat local.
Poh said she also planned to build on the service record of three-term DAP assemblyman Gan Peck Cheng in Penggaram.
“The team here has a good track record built over the difficult Covid-19 pandemic period, and in facing the flooding issue,” she added.
Another priority, she said, is familiarising constituents with people-centric policies.
Many are still unaware of programmes such as low-interest business loans, women’s development initiatives, AI training and digital business courses, Poh pointed out.
“Not everyone reads government statements. I want to explain policies in a simpler way and spread it among the grassroots,” she said, adding that online groups and videos can help residents receive information more quickly.
On tourism, Poh said Penggaram needed stronger promotion and more vibrant evening activities to encourage visitors to stay overnight instead of just passing by.
She also hopes more of the youth will return to start businesses, saying the town has opportunities for creative and entrepreneurial ventures.
Poh credits her late father, a former local government officer and Batu Pahat district Chinese New Village development officer, for her interest in public service.
“Seeing streetlights installed at the entrance of a new village made me realise how much public service can improve living conditions,” she added.
Poh acknowledged that some might doubt her inexperience, but pledged to overcome this with a strong desire to learn, taking responsibility for her actions and relying on good counsel.
