JOHOR BARU: Dr Maszlee Malik has described his Puteri Wangsa victory as a heavy trust to bear after emerging as the only PKR candidate to win a seat in the Johor polls.
“Being the sole PKR representative to win a seat in this state election is not a matter of pride to boast about. It is a manifestation of trust I must uphold with deep humility,” said Maszlee, who won under Pakatan Harapan ticket.
The former education minister said the win came with an enormous responsibility.
“It is a very heavy amanah (trust). I ask for everyone’s prayers that I be granted strength to carry it and to fight for the people of Puteri Wangsa,” he said.
Maszlee thanked Pakatan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and grassroots machinery, who he said camped in the constituency from the start of the campaign to the finish line.
He reserved special thanks for his wife and family for their prayers and patience, and for Puteri Wangsa voters for placing “an amanah this heavy” on his shoulders.
In Saturday’s election, Maszlee polled 41,821 votes to Barisan Nasional candidate Teow Chia Ling’s 36,077, taking the seat with a 5,744-vote majority.
Also in the five-cornered fight were Muda’s Rashifa Aljunied, Bersama’s Nicholas Paul Vincent and independent Wang Wee Seong.
Barisan swept 48 of the 56 seats while Pakatan Harapan took the remaining eight.
Perikatan Nasional, which previously held three seats, lost all deposits, while PKR’s candidates in Sri Medan and Tanjung Surat lost their deposits.
