Set for a uniquely Johor election

Growing: Vibrant street art is everywhere in Kelapa Sawit, a town that is benefiting from Johor’s digital infrastructure boom – which is keeping voters generally happy with the state government. — Filepic/The Star

THIS past week, I was in Johor for political tourism. I wanted to check out the on-the-ground sentiment in this crucial southern state of Peninsular Malaysia. Election fervour is in the air in Johor as the state assembly has just been dissolved and the Election Commission has set polling day for July 11.

My first stop was breakfast at Kelapa Sawit, a quaint, historic Hakka village in Kulai, famous for its vibrant street art murals and deep cultural roots. On the menu in a packed restaurant was the famous Hakka dish choy ban (steamed vegetable dumplings filled with leeks or turnips) and a comforting, hearty bowl of lei cha (thunder tea rice).