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KULAI, July 2 -- Rising cost of living, better job opportunities and improved infrastructure are among the key concerns of residents in the Bukit Batu state constituency ahead of the 16th Johor state election. Most residents met by Bernama hope that the elected representative and the state government to be formed after the election will prioritise resolving these issues, which they say have a direct impact on their daily lives. Taman Sri Pulai 1 resident Kelvin Chong, 58, said the state government, particularly the Bukit Batu elected representative, should focus on creating more quality job opportunities with competitive salaries to help the people cope with the rising cost of living.  “People are hoping for more job opportunities with better salaries. The cost of living in Johor is getting higher, and prices of goods are also affected by its proximity to Singapore,” said the businessman in the logistics sector. Vegetable and fruit seller Tew Chong, 48, expressed hope that more initiatives would be introduced to reduce production costs in the agricultural sector, allowing crop prices to remain reasonable. He said that the recent rise in the cost of fertilisers, pesticides, labour and transportation had forced sellers like him to increase the prices of vegetables and fruits to cover operating costs. “If production costs are reduced, we don’t have to raise prices significantly. This will also allow consumers to enjoy more affordable vegetables and fruits,” he said. Another resident, Muhammad Yusof Abdullah, 64, said efforts to upgrade infrastructure in the Bukit Batu constituency should be given attention, particularly the maintenance of roads, drainage systems and public facilities used daily by residents. The retiree said the rapid development in the area must be supported by better facilities to ensure the comfort and safety of residents. “For example, along Jalan Sri Putri, there are many potholes and uneven road humps that can cause vehicles to break down. We are also worried that something untoward may happen. If infrastructure can be improved, it will definitely bring more comfort to the people,” he said. The Bukit Batu state seat is witnessing a five-cornered contest featuring incumbent Arthur Chiong Sen Sern of Pakatan Harapan (PH), R. Kumaran (Barisan Nasional - BN), M. Premanand (Parti Ikatan Demokratik Malaysia - MUDA), G. Tamili (Parti Bersama Malaysia - Bersama) and Independent candidate Datuk Kamaruzaman Ali. Johor is holding its state election, with polling set for July 11 and early voting on July 7. -- BERNAMA  

Johor Polls: Bukit Batu Residents Want Cost Of Living, Infrastructure Issues Addressed

KULAI, July 2 — Rising cost of living, better job opportunities and improved infrastructure are among the key concerns of residents in the Bukit Batu state constituency ahead of the .... read more

KLUANG, July 2 -- A "Work in the City, Live in the Countryside" ecosystem is at the heart of Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah's vision for Mahkota state constituency, aimed at enabling residents to secure better-paying jobs in Johor's urban and industrial centres while continuing to enjoy a more affordable and sustainable lifestyle. He said the initiative would allow residents to benefit directly from Johor's economic expansion through improved public transport connectivity, particularly the Electric Train Service (ETS), making daily commuting between Kluang and major employment hubs more convenient. "We want Kluang's young people to have access to quality jobs in industrial areas that offer premium salaries. "At the same time, they should be able to return home every day and build a sustainable life with their families here," he told Bernama recently. Syed Hussien said the vision aligns with the Johor Economic Transformation Plan (JETP), introduced by Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, which seeks to spur balanced economic growth across all 10 districts in the state. On the campaign trail, Syed Hussien said the BN machinery had reached more than half of the areas within the Mahkota constituency and was on track to complete its outreach across the remaining localities within the next four to five days. He attributed the positive momentum to the coalition's consistent grassroots engagement rather than seasonal campaigning, supported by a combination of digital and face-to-face approaches that allow candidates and party workers to maintain close personal contact with voters. On his ability to converse fluently in Mandarin, Syed Hussien described it as an added advantage in engaging the Chinese community but sincerity, mutual respect and fair treatment of all communities were far more important than language proficiency alone. Touching on efforts to win over young voters, whom he believes could determine the outcome in Mahkota, Syed Hussien said BN would avoid populist politics and instead focus on fostering political maturity and responsible civic participation. "We want young people to understand that voting carries a great responsibility. We must cultivate a healthier and more progressive political culture instead of making unrealistic promises that ultimately leave them disappointed," he said. The Mahkota state seat will see a three-cornered contest involving Syed Hussien, Pakatan Harapan candidate Dr Ahmad Zuhan Md Zain and Bersama candidate Abd Hamid Ali. The Johor election has attracted 172 candidates contesting 56 state seats. Polling is scheduled for July 11, while early voting will take place on July 7. -- BERNAMA 

‘Work In The City, Live In The Countryside’ Key To Syed Hussien’s Vision For Mahkota

KLUANG, July 2 — A “Work in the City, Live in the Countryside” ecosystem is at the heart of Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Syed Hussien Syed Abdullah’s vision for Mahkota .... read more

BATU PAHAT, JUN 2 -- Pakatan Harapan (PH)'s presence in the Johor State Election (PRN) is aimed at offering a more sustainable development agenda and not at disrupting the existing harmony in the state.  PKR Vice President Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said Johor was a state that had great potential to be developed, but its administrative methods needed to be improved so that it was not only focused on certain districts.  He, who is also the Menteri Besar of Selangor, said the development pattern in Johor is currently seen as uneven, as the economic focus is more towards the Johor Bahru district, thus creating a gap with other districts. "Johor is like other parts of the country in the north, east and west. The income gap between residents, for example, is quite significant between Johor Bahru and Segamat. That is why we have come to bring change and then govern Johor well," he said when speaking at the Jelajah Ke Depan Undi Harapan, in Pekan Senggarang here, last night. Also present was the Deputy President of the National Trust Party (Amanah) Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof . Amirudin, who is also PKR's Election Director, said Johor recorded a high amount of investment last year, which was RM101 billion, but the rate of new job creation was still seen as low compared to Selangor. "Last year's investment in Selangor was RM83 billion but we created 60,000 new job opportunities, (while) in Johor it was lower, maybe not even 30,000 or 40,000 or less," he said. In this regard, Amirudin said that if PH is given the mandate to govern, the coalition will ensure that high-impact investments are coordinated with the support of the Federal government, through initiatives such as the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). "This is important to create high-paying job opportunities, so that our young people no longer have to commute to Singapore every day to earn a living," he said. Amirudin said the future state government under PH leadership would adopt an open leadership strategy to ensure Johor emerges as a southern jewel that is the pride of Malaysia and its people. A total of 172 candidates are contesting in the Johor state election which will be held on July 11, while early voting is on July 7. -- BERNAMA 

PH offers sustainable development agenda, polishes Johor’s potential – Amirudin

BATU PAHAT, July 2 — Pakatan Harapan (PH)’s presence in the Johor State Election (PRN) is aimed at offering a more sustainable development agenda and not at disrupting the existing .... read more

Johor Election: BN Kulai Confident of ‘SAPU BERSIH’ with Support from Felda Cluster Voters – Jafni

KULAI, July 1 — Barisan Nasional (BN) is confident of gaining the support of voters in the four Federal Land Development Authority (FELDA) clusters in the Kulai Parliament in the .... read more

MUAR, July 1 -- Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has dismissed claims by some quarters that development in the state is unbalanced, forcing residents to migrate out, instead insisting that the development of each district is guided by a comprehensive development plan. He, who is also the Chairman of the Johor Barisan Nasional (BN), explained that through the Johor Economic Transformation Plan (JETP), the development framework is planned comprehensively by providing strategic focus on the unique socio-economic focus of each district equitably. He said that Johor's currently increasing macroeconomic growth is directly translated into the form of welfare assistance to ensure that the entire "Bangsa Johor" (People of Johor) experiences the abundance of the state's wealth. "In terms of development for each district, we have a JETP which will look at more comprehensive development where each district has its own focus. "I am confident that at the Johorian level, when we see Johor's economy growing and developing, the economic spillover can really be felt by the people of Johor, especially through Kasih Johor assistance. So what they are claiming is not true at all," he told reporters after attending a community meeting program in Parit Raja, here, today. Also present was BN's candidate for the Maharani State Legislative Assembly seat, Datuk Ashari Md Sarip. Apart from the JETP development framework, Onn Hafiz said the momentum of progress in the northern region of Johor was also strengthened through high-impact industrial zones, including the Maharani Energy Gateway energy hub. The implementation of the mega project is expected to open up new business market chains as well as a vast overflow of job opportunities to boost the domestic economy and stem the exodus of local workers. Commenting on the machinery's work after more than a week since the Johor State Election (PRN) campaign began, Onn Hafiz, who is also contesting for the Machap state seat, expressed gratitude for the smooth campaigning series and the positive feedback shown by residents in the Muar district. He also called on the entire political coalition machinery to continue to maintain good work momentum and practice a healthy and professional campaign approach ahead of polling day. -- BERNAMA

Johor Election: Claims of Unbalanced Development Are Untrue, JETP Guarantees Comprehensive Progress – Onn Hafiz

MUAR, July 1 — Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi has dismissed claims by some quarters that development in the state is unbalanced, forcing residents to migrate out, instead .... read more

JOHOR BAHRU, July 1 -- The principle of being a "bridge to the people's concerns" has been the guiding principle of incumbent Kota Iskandar state assemblyman Datuk Pandak Ahmad in carrying out his mandate as a representative of the people with an approach of listening, understanding and solving the problems of the residents. Pandak, who is also the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the seat in the Johor state election said that this guiding principle has motivated him to continue the various initiatives implemented throughout the last term, with priority given to resolving issues across all levels of society. "When we hold on to that principle, we are holding a trust. Elders always remember, so that when we die, we don't have to be asked about the trust we hold," he said in an interview with Bernama. Among the achievements he described as major successes are the construction of 12,000 units of affordable housing under the Johor People's Housing Programme which opens up opportunities for the middle-income group to own their own homes, in addition to the construction of a new mosque in Pulai Emas and the establishment of the Tunku Mohkota Ismail Youth Centre (TMIYC). He said efforts to improve the administrative system with the Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP) have also enabled the licensing process for small traders to be expedited, with applications now being approved within a day. “We have also managed to recover nine acres (3.64 hectares) of land that was previously owned by the private sector to be developed as a commercial fishing hub. It will be developed in a more orderly manner, including the relocation of traders’ stalls,” he said. Pandak said the transformation of Kampung Sungai Melayu from a traditional fishing village over 160 years old to a new tourist destination has had a great impact on the local community. He said infrastructure development worth almost RM22 million had transformed the village to emerge as one of the main tourism products under MBIP, which is now receiving more than 100,000 visitors in conjunction with Visit Johor Year 2026. Asked about issues that still needed attention, Pandak said traffic congestion due to the rapid development of housing areas, especially on the route from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) to Pulai Indah and Gelang Patah to Kampung Ulu Pulai was among the main complaints of the residents. According to him, several traffic dispersal measures had been and are being planned, including upgrading traffic lights to a smart system, the construction of two new flyovers and an elevated interchange connecting the area to Taman Sri Pulai and Taman Teratai. Regarding future plans if given the mandate again, Pandak said that the education aspect would continue to be given priority in addition to realising the construction of about 300 housing units in Gelang Patah town and more than 800 units in Taman Damai, Pulau Hijauan with prices below RM300,000 per unit. He also saw the potential to make Pendas a new tourism destination in Kota Iskandar taking into account the strength of the fishing sector involving the local population, by adapting the development approach implemented in Kampung Sungai Melayu. “In Sungai Melayu, we are developing the ecotourism sector by providing boat services to bring visitors to enjoy the beauty of the area, while in Pendas the fish catch is more and the fishing community is larger, so we see the potential to combine fishing and ecotourism activities to increase the income of the residents,” he said. In the Johor polls campaign this time, Pandak said the face-to-face approach remains a priority, but at the same time he is also taking advantage of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Threads to reach out to young voters who represent more than 131,000 voters in Kota Iskandar, one of the largest in Johor. The Kota Iskandar state constituency, which has 132,579 registered voters, is witnessing a four-cornered contest involving Pandak, Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Dzulkefly Ahmad, S. Anna Pravina from Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Sahrudin Omar representing Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama). Johor state election polling day is on July 11, while the early voting is on July 7. -- BERNAMA

Johor Polls: Kota Iskandar Assemblyman Acts As A Bridge For The People

JOHOR BAHRU, July 1 — The principle of being a “bridge to the people’s concerns” has been the guiding principle of incumbent Kota Iskandar state assemblyman Datuk Pandak Ahmad in .... read more

JOHOR BHARU, July 1 -- The experience of serving as a special officer to the late Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub forms the basis for the political approach of Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Permas State Legislative Assembly seat, Sharon Teo Siew Hui, who has pledged to prioritise service to the people if given a mandate in the Johor State Election (PRN). Teo, 36, said he learned a lot about leadership values ​​from the former Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, especially humility, being approachable and always prioritizing the welfare of the people regardless of race or region. He said the late, who was synonymous with the title "Father of Mercy Malaysia", was the main source of inspiration that shaped his political approach. "I joined Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) in 2018 because my mentor was the late. Before that, I only helped him voluntarily, but after getting to know him better, I was attracted by his personality and the way he served the people. "He is a very humble person. That is the spirit I want to bring to Permas," he said in an interview with Bernama today. According to Teo, the experience of accompanying Salahuddin throughout several series of General Elections (GE) and PRNs opened his eyes to the fact that the job of a representative is not just to receive complaints, but to ensure that every problem is truly resolved. "I still remember how the late president personally monitored the progress of the people's complaints until late at night. Sometimes until midnight he would send WhatsApp asking whether the people's complaints had been resolved or not. That is the approach I want to bring to Permas," he said. Commenting on the claim that he was a "parachute candidate", Teo said that the notion did not reflect his political journey as he had been active with Amanah since 2018, starting as an ordinary member before being appointed as the Assistant Secretary of Amanah Johor and now the Head of Amanah Johor's Young Women (WARDA). He said Permas was also not a foreign area for him as he often followed the late leader to the field in the area during previous election campaigns. Teo said the response he received throughout the five days of campaigning gave him confidence to continue reaching out to voters of all races. He said among the issues frequently raised by residents were infrastructure problems such as potholed roads, damaged back alleys of business premises, traffic congestion and public facilities that needed to be upgraded. Apart from that, Teo said he wanted to pay attention to the young people, especially first-time voters and school leavers, by listening to their needs and reaching out to them through social media and e-sports programmes. If elected as a representative, he said the first 100 days would be used to identify the most pressing issues in the Permas DUN, collect complete data and draw up an action plan to solve the residents' problems in stages. "My three main focuses are launching PermasKu as a one-stop centre for managing people's complaints so that every complaint is monitored until resolved and conducting a comprehensive audit of infrastructure across Permas to identify priorities that need to be resolved." "In addition, I will go to the field in each area to meet with residents and develop an action plan based on the real needs of the people, not assumptions," he said. The Permas state seat saw a four-cornered contest involving Teo, the incumbent of the seat who is also the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Baharudin Mohamed Taib, Dr Zamil Najwah from the United Malaysia Party (Bersama) and T. Vela representing the Perikatan Nasional (PN). -- BERNAMA

Johor Election: Sharon Teo Brings the Spirit of “Politics of Service” of the Late Salahuddin to Permas

JOHOR BHARU, July 1 — The experience of serving as a special officer to the late Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub forms the basis for the political approach of Pakatan Harapan .... read more

KULAI, July 1 -- Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) candidate for the Bukit Batu state seat M. Premanand is confident the constituency can spark a new wave of support for the party in the 16th Johor state election. Premanand, 53, a first-time state election candidate, said he is optimistic MUDA can repeat its success in Puteri Wangsa at the previous Johor polls. He attributed his confidence to voters' support for MUDA's commitment to transparency and integrity, as well as the credibility of the party's founder, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, whom he described as consistently working hard for the people despite facing various challenges. "So, we are very confident that Bukit Batu could be our next target, or maybe all four seats could be ours because the people see MUDA's transparent ideology. If you want a people's representative like Syed Saddiq, you have to vote for MUDA," he told Bernama here today. Premanand said his status as a Kulai native who is well known among the local community, coupled with his experience as a trainer and organisational development consultant who has worked with various industries nationwide, would help him secure voters' support. Commenting on his development agenda for Bukit Batu if given the mandate, he said his main priority would be to expand employment opportunities and ensure residents receive decent wages that reflect current industry needs. He said a significant gap remains between industry needs and the skills possessed by young people, affecting their ability to secure well-paying jobs amid the rising cost of living. "I want people to earn decent wages without having to work in Singapore. If possible, I want Johor residents to work in Johor, and I want to make sure Bukit Batu becomes an example for Johor, or even Malaysia, in terms of wages," he said. Premanand said flooding in the constituency was also among the issues requiring immediate attention through efforts to strengthen flood mitigation measures. The Bukit Batu state seat will see a five-cornered contest involving Premanand, Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate R. Kumaran, Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Arthur Chiong Sen Sern, Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) candidate G. Tamili and Independent candidate Datuk Kamaruzaman Ali. The 16th Johor state election will be held on July 11, with early voting on July 7. -- BERNAMA

Johor Polls: Premanand Optimistic Of MUDA Breakthrough In Bukit Batu

KULAI, July 1 — Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) candidate for the Bukit Batu state seat M. Premanand is confident the constituency can spark a new wave of support for .... read more

JOHOR BAHRU, July 1 -- Despite the hustle and bustle of campaigning for the 16th Johor State Election (PRN), Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Tenang State Legislative Assembly (DUN), Elia Nadira Sabudin is still shouldering another big responsibility to complete her doctorate (PhD) studies. For the mother of four who is studying Electrical Engineering (Control Systems) at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), the struggle in the academic and political worlds has the same goal, which is to build the future of society through knowledge, education and human development. The 43-year-old Johor Wanita Amanah Vice-Chairman said his focus was not just on gaining voter support but also on offering his academic expertise to bridge the gap in education quality between rural and urban areas. "I think my strength is education. I want the children in Tenang not to differentiate themselves from the children in the city. They are actually equal, we can develop our children and give them better job opportunities through education," he said in an interview with Bernama today. The technology entrepreneur who owns a robotics education company also provides classes for school students and teachers using a syllabus that is in line with the Ministry of Education (KPM) standards. He said the initiative could help students venture into new technology fields such as coding, which had been introduced in schools around Labis, and could thus be fully utilized to produce more local skilled workers. Apart from that, Elia Nadira said that one of the first things he researched before contesting was the district development plan for the northern region of Johor, including a plan to develop the local community economy through the ecotourism sector. "When we check in the Segamat 2030 local plan, the matter has been gazetted to be made into a tourism centre but today it has not happened yet. So I am here with my main focus on making Tenang a tourist destination." "Tenang is a place with many tourist attractions but not many people know that this area can be promoted as ecotourism, coupled with the presence of the ETS (electric train service) station in Labis, it should boost the local economy more aggressively," he said. Elia Nadira, who previously contested in the Bukit Pasir state seat, will face competition from two candidates who previously contested in the Tenang state seat, including a former state assemblyman (ADUN) for the area. However, he sees the opponent's experience as not an obstacle but rather a catalyst to offer a different approach to voters by bringing a political narrative that is fresher and closer to the hearts of the people. "At the Barisan Nasional (BN) level, they are presenting a candidate who was previously an assemblyman (Mohd Azahar Ibrahim) and I don't think that's a big problem for me. They have done what they were supposed to do and today I am coming forward to do better than that," he said. Apart from that, Elia Nadira said the campaign atmosphere was carried out in a healthy and mature democratic spirit when all candidates from the contesting parties were able to interact and exchange views professionally. "We are also polite to the voters, they can accept our presence with a smile and we have met with the opposing party several times, so we can sit at the table, have a drink, take pictures, there is no problem," he said. Apart from Mohd Azahar, in the 16th Johor state election, Elia Nadira will be challenged by Normala Sudirman from Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Independent candidate Siti Aisyah Zobir in a four-cornered contest. A total of 172 candidates are contesting in the Johor state election which will take place on July 11, while early voting will be held on July 7. -- BERNAMA

Johor PRN: PH PhD Candidate Wants to Create a Technology Generation in Tenang State

JOHOR BAHRU, July 1 — Despite the hustle and bustle of campaigning for the 16th Johor State Election (PRN), Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Tenang State Legislative Assembly (DUN), .... read more

JOHOR BAHRU, July 1 -- Taking a personal and grassroots approach, Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Perling seat, P. Pannir Selvam, is relying on a series of “pocket talks” as his key strategy to win over voters in the 16th Johor State Election (PRN). While acknowledging the growing influence of social media as a modern campaign tool, Pannir Selvam, who is making his debut in state-level politics, believes face-to-face engagement through small-group sessions remains more effective and leaves a deeper impression on voters. He said the pocket talk approach not only narrows the gap between candidates and voters but also serves as an effective platform to better understand and address issues affecting the local community. “Through these sessions, I have the opportunity to meet voters directly, introduce myself in a more personal and approachable manner, and explain my vision while giving them confidence in my ability to serve the people in this constituency. “So far, the response from voters in the pocket talks held across this DUN has been very encouraging and has given me confidence to intensify the campaign as polling day approaches,” he told Bernama recently. As he seeks a mandate in what is expected to be a closely watched contest, Pannir Selvam described the unwavering support of his father, Datuk KS Balakrishnan, as a source of strength and motivation. He said the presence of his father, who is a political veteran, being a former Permas Assemblyman for five terms and also a former Johor state executive council member, represents more than parental support, but also invaluable guidance in understanding public service. “I am deeply moved that at the age of 84, he still has the determination to drive himself to campaign locations and go to the ground to support me regardless of the weather. “To be honest, I have learned a great deal from my father, especially in handling public issues, serving people without discrimination regardless of race, and accepting criticism positively,” he said. Pannir Selvam added that his father’s advice has always been to serve sincerely, honestly and with integrity if entrusted with the people’s mandate. On his pledges to Perling voters, the former Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB) member said he intends to prioritise resolving daily issues affecting residents, particularly traffic congestion and insufficient parking facilities around the Taman Perling Public Market. He said his experience in local government administration would enable him to address community concerns more effectively and efficiently. The Perling DUN, which has 109,992 registered voters, is seeing a three-cornered contest involving Pannir Selvam, Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Alan Tee Boon Tsong and Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) candidate Boo Wei Han. The Johor polls are witnessing a total of 172 candidates contesting 56 seats, with polling day set for July 11, while early voting is on July 7. -- BERNAMA 

Johor Polls: Perling BN Candidate Bets On “Pocket Talks” To Win Over Voters

JOHOR BAHRU, July 1 — Taking a personal and grassroots approach, Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Perling seat, P. Pannir Selvam, is relying on a series of “pocket talks” .... read more

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