JOHOR BARU: The independent candidates in the Johor election may have lost their deposits and finished last in their respective seats, but they are refusing to let defeat end their efforts to serve the people.
In Segamat, restaurant owner Siti Aisyah Zobir said she would continue helping the community, as she had done over the past few years.
“My team, made up of my family and volunteers, will continue channelling aid using our own resources.
“You do not have to wait until you become a YB (elected representative) to do good,” said the 36-year-old, who received 164 votes in a four-cornered fight for the Tenang seat.
Drawing on her nursing training after secondary school, Siti Aisyah has previously assisted bedridden elderly people and intubated patients, as well as distributed food to orphans, single mothers, underprivileged families and disabled students.
She said she had also given duit raya to tahfiz students and visited flood victims at relief centres, bringing essentials such as rice, dried food and fresh chicken.
“I was hoping for about 2,000 votes, so I was quite disappointed when I only got 164 despite the contributions I had made,” the mother-of-three said.
The Tenang seat was won by Barisan Nasional’s Mohd Azahar Ibrahim (Umno) with 8,199 votes. Pakatan Harapan’s Elia Nadira Sabudin (Amanah) secured 4,805 votes while Perikatan Nasional’s Normala Sudirman (PAS) received 1,412 votes.
In Kluang, engineer G. Kamaleswaren, 44, has wasted no time in planning three community initiatives.
“I hope to set up a permanent operations centre for residents to seek assistance for government-related matters, document local issues and receive guidance on following up on complaints.
“I am also planning for a community fund to organise at least one corporate social responsibility programme every month, providing educational assistance, food aid and school supplies as well as sponsorships for talented local athletes,” he said.
Kamaleswaren, who obtained 105 votes in Paloh seat, also plans to hold quarterly town hall sessions to allow residents to raise concerns and propose ideas to improve the town.
“Educating people about positive nation-building is more important to me.
“My team and I will continue working with the hope of one day serving the rakyat in the state assembly or Parliament,” he added.
Incumbent Lee Ting Han of Barisan (MCA) retained the Paloh seat with 11,181 votes, while Pakatan’s Dr A. Ruban (DAP) obtained 4,982 votes and Perikatan’s D. Jeevakumar (MIPP) received 571 votes.
In Johor Baru, independent candidate Lim Hun Peaw, who finished last in the Johor Jaya race with 195 votes, thanked his supporters and said democracy was about respecting the people’s choice.
“The election is over, but my mission is not. I will continue speaking up for the people, for Johor Jaya and for Malaysia.
“Public service does not begin with winning office, nor does positive change require a political title,” the 53-year-old said.
Johor Jaya was won by Barisan’s Chan San San (MCA) with 35,971 votes, ahead of Pakatan’s Lee Wern Yiing (DAP) 28,703 votes and Bersama’s Lau Yi Leong 2,051 votes.
