JOHOR BARU: Former councillor B. Pannir Selvam has roped in his father and wife to help his campaign in the Perling constituency.
His father, Datuk KS Balakrishnan, has been actively campaigning, especially in areas with Indian voters while M. Nirmala has been helping to promote him among the Chinese community.
Balakrishnan was a five-term assemblyman in Johor while Nirmala makes heads turn as she can converse in Mandarin.
“So far, the reception from voters is very encouraging. I also go to Malay areas. My target is to meet thousands of voters each day so that they can get to know me better,” said the 54-year-old candidate from Barisan Nasional.
He added that his wife, who works in the private sector, took two weeks’ leave to help him on the campaign trail.
“Although this is a Chinese-majority seat, I hope the voters will give me a chance to serve them as I have been active as a councillor for more than 10 years.
“I am also grateful to my father, who at 84 years old, is actively going around to campaign for me.
“I hope to make him proud if elected,” Pannir Selvam said, adding that he learnt politics from his father, who helped a lot of people during his tenure as a state executive councillor for four terms.
This is the first time that MIC, under the Barisan banner, is contesting a Chinese-majorty seat in Johor.
He also stressed the importance of being Bangsa Johor where all the people are united as one.
“This concept is prevalent during gatherings and functions in his home when people from different faiths came and mingled freely with each other,” he said.
Pannir Selvam, who stays in Bandar Baru Uda, said among the issues in the constituency which needed to be looked into include traffic congestion, parking woes and public housing.
Perling has 109,992 voters, comprising Chinese 46.79%, Malays 36.65%, Indians 13.46% and others 3.1%.
The seat will see a three-cornered fight with Alan Tee from Pakatan Harapan and Boo Wei Han from Parti Bersama Malaysia.
