Tag: Pakatan Harapan (PH)

Johor Polls: Ahmad Daniel Ready To Unlock Panti’s Hidden Potential

KOTA TINGGI, July 8  -- With its unique natural attractions that have yet to be fully explored, Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Ahmad Daniel Sharudin is determined to transform the Panti state seat into one of the district’s leading eco-tourism destinations if given the mandate in the upcoming Johor state election. Ahmad Daniel, 54, said that revitalising the eco-tourism sector would not only help preserve the constituency’s natural heritage but also serve as a catalyst for local economic growth, particularly benefiting small business owners and the local community. The former Kota Tinggi District Council (MDKT) member said that the Panti state seat is home to valuable natural gems, including the rapids at Kampung Temenin, which have significant potential to be upgraded and developed into an attractive destination for both domestic and international visitors. “In Kota Tinggi, we are well known for our waterfalls. In Panti, however, we have beautiful natural rapids that remain largely untapped and require upgrading and rebranding. “Insya-Allah, if we are given the mandate, we will improve the infrastructure there without compromising the original ecosystem, while creating another healthy recreational destination for both the local community and tourists,” he told Bernama. The Johor-born candidate, who has a background in civil engineering, said sustainable eco-tourism development could also address another pressing issue in the constituency - the lack of quality employment opportunities for young people. He said the limited economic activity in the area has forced some youths to seek employment outside the district, with some even crossing into Singapore in search of better job opportunities. “Once the tourism sector flourishes, related industries such as homestays, restaurants and tour guide services will also grow, creating new business and employment opportunities for local youths,” he said. In addition to his tourism agenda, Ahmad Daniel, who is also the state Amanah’s Syariah and Dakwah Bureau director, outlined three other key priorities in his manifesto: providing affordable housing, creating employment opportunities in the industrial sector, and upgrading ageing public infrastructure. He described these plans as realistic and achievable, citing his political alignment with the current federal government administration as an advantage in facilitating their implementation. On his campaign efforts, the Tenggara Amanah division chief said his team is now operating at full capacity, having successfully conducted face-to-face outreach in nearly 80 per cent of the Panti state constituency. He acknowledged that the vast geographical size of the Panti state seat presents a challenge for his team to physically cover the entire constituency with only four days remaining before polling day. Nevertheless, he remains optimistic that his message and campaign pledges will reach all voters through a final campaign push that makes aggressive use of social media platforms. “For the remainder of the campaign period, we will further strengthen our digital strategy through social media to ensure our message reaches voters across all age groups,” he said. Ahmad Daniel is set to face a three-cornered contest against Dr Muhammad Naqib Md Ghazali of Barisan Nasional (BN) and Alias Rasman of Perikatan Nasional (PN). The 16th Johor state election will see 172 candidates contesting 56 state seats, with the outcome to be decided by 2.7 million eligible voters this Saturday (July 11). -- BERNAMA 

KOTA TINGGI, July 8  — With its unique natural attractions that have yet to be fully explored, Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Ahmad Daniel Sharudin is determined to transform the Panti state seat into one of the district’s leading eco-tourism destinations if given the mandate in the upcoming Johor state election. Ahmad Daniel, 54, said that […]

Johor PRN: PN candidates want Paloh development to be on par with urban areas

KLUANG, July 8 -- Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate for the Paloh State Legislative Assembly (DUN), D Jeevakumar wants to ensure that residents in the area enjoy development and facilities comparable to urban areas if given a mandate in the Johor State Election (PRN) this time. He said that among the main issues that need attention are job opportunities for the youth, besides drainage, road problems and wild animal nuisance which are often raised by residents. "The main problem in the Paloh DUN is related to the youth, namely job opportunities. Followed by drainage problems, road problems and wild animal problems. "If given the mandate to be the ADUN in the Paloh area, I will ensure that the Paloh community also receives the same attention as the community living in the city," he told Astro AWANI. Jeevakumar said the goal is to ensure that the residents of Paloh can enjoy facilities and a quality of life comparable to those in urban areas. In this Johor PRN, the Paloh DUN has 27,966 registered voters and witnessed a four-cornered contest involving the Barisan Nasional (BN) incumbent, Lee Ting Han; Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate, Dr Ruban Arumugam; Jeevakumar; and Independent candidate, G Kamaleswaren. In the 2022 Johor PRN, Lee Ting Han defended the Paloh DUN seat with a majority of 3,176 votes after defeating Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali (PH), Selvendran Velu (PN) and Aminuddin Johari (Pejuang).     -- Source : Amirul Aiman  -- Credit : Astro Awani  

KLUANG, July 8 — Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate for the Paloh State Legislative Assembly (DUN), D Jeevakumar wants to ensure that residents in the area enjoy development and facilities comparable to urban areas if given a mandate in the Johor State Election (PRN) this time. He said that among the main issues that need attention […]

Johor Polls: Subramani Targets Surprise Win In Bukit Kepong

PAGOH, July 7 -- Driven by constituents’ calls for change, C. Subramani is seeking victory in the 16th Johor state election to bring the improvements desired by the Bukit Kepong community. The Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate said he is optimistic about his chances of securing a surprise win, following encouraging feedback from voters throughout the Johor state election campaign. Subramani said close cooperation and alignment between the state and federal administrations would be central to accelerating and facilitating development plans in the constituency. The Pagoh native said his ground visits, including to Orang Asli settlements, helped him identify infrastructure gaps and socioeconomic challenges affecting residents. "I have witnessed the challenges they face, and I have visited four Orang Asli communities to identify the issues that need to be resolved first. "I see positive support from local residents as they are looking for change. I am therefore not worried about facing competition from other parties in this contest," he told Bernama. Subramani, who contested the Buloh Kasap seat in the 2022 Johor state election, said stronger coordination between state and federal administrations would help ensure that local issues involving federal agencies are resolved more efficiently. He cited education-related matters as well as irrigation and drainage issues as examples that could be channelled directly to the relevant ministers or the Prime Minister if both administrations were aligned. Among the Pagoh PKR chief's other priorities are transforming the Bukit Kepong Gallery into a historical tourism hub to stimulate the local economy, while tackling issues such as poor street lighting, narrow bridges, and the need for affordable homes for the B40 community. Despite the three-cornered fight, Subramani said his years of political experience and continued engagement with residents have strengthened his position in the contest. Bukit Kepong sees a three-way contest between PH, Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional candidates in the Johor state election. A total of 172 candidates are vying for 56 state assembly seats in the Johor polls, with some 2.7 million voters set to cast their ballots this Saturday… -- BERNAMA 

PAGOH, July 7 — Driven by constituents’ calls for change, C. Subramani is seeking victory in the 16th Johor state election to bring the improvements desired by the Bukit Kepong community. The Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate said he is optimistic about his chances of securing a surprise win, following encouraging feedback from voters throughout the […]

Johor Polls: PH, BN Adopt Different Strategies, Bank On Distinct Strengths

JOHOR BAHRU, July 6  -- Campaigning for the 16th Johor State Election, now in its second week, has seen the two main political coalitions intensify their groundwork to reach out to the voters, with each banking on its own unique approaches to win the people's hearts. Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN), both fielding candidates in all 56 state seats, are opting for different campaign strategies and policy offerings ahead of the Saturday (July 11) polling day. PH is emphasising policy agendas and solutions that address the daily concerns of the people, while BN is leveraging on the strength of its party network and the presence of several high-profile political figures to boost campaign momentum. Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub, a political analyst from Universiti Malaya, said PH's strategy is more focused on convincing voters through its policy offerings that address issues related to cost of living, income growth, access to affordable housing, human capital development and a more equitable distribution of economic benefits. He said the approach reflects PH's efforts to advance the narrative that Johor's development should not be measured solely by investment figures or economic growth, but instead be translated into tangible benefits that can be felt directly by the people. "PH is trying to convince voters that Johor's development should not merely be about investment figures but must result in better wages, affordable housing, quality employment opportunities and better guaranteed welfare for the people,” he told Bernama. "PH has unveiled its manifesto, titled "Johor For All”, which outlines a comprehensive action plan to address these critical issues, including focusing on integrated strategies to increase domestic wage levels, as well as ensuring investment returns are directly translated into improving the welfare and quality of life of the people of Johor as a whole. Meanwhile, observations at the BN camp show that the coalition has started aggressively leveraging the return of two well-known personalities: former UMNO vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein and former UMNO Youth chief  Khairy Jamaluddin (KJ), who both rejoined UMNO through the 'Rumah Bangsa’ initiative. Commenting on the re-emergence of former BN leaders in the state polls, Muhammad Tawfik said that in the current political landscape, voters have become increasingly discerning and are no longer easily influenced by the mere presence of prominent political figures at campaign talks (ceramah). "Voters today are more critical. They not only see who is delivering campaign speeches, but also evaluate whether the party has clear policy offerings, credible candidates and policies that address the people's concerns,” he said. Meanwhile, Ilham Centre chief researcher Assoc Prof Dr Mohd Yusry Ibrahim said Hishammuddin's active participation in this election campaign could very well reconvince some of the UMNO supporters who had previously become disillusioned with or distanced themselves from the party. The Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) lecturer also said that Hishammuddin still has a major influence in Johor, which could help revive support for BN, especially among the coalition's traditional supporters. Mohd Yusry added that Khairy's presence could also swing the advantage in BN's favour as it strives to reach out to younger voters, since he is one of the political figures who consistently enjoys positive support among that demographic. "KJ has consistently been a popular figure among the younger voters. His return has helped BN's campaign quite a bit, and it could spark an interest among a segment of voters that UMNO and BN had previously struggled to reach,” he said. According to him, voting patterns among young people have become increasingly fluid, as they no longer display the strong party loyalty seen in previous generations. "Young voters generally are not loyal to any party. They are more attracted to public figures they recognise, follow and feel connected to. That's why the candidate factor is becoming increasingly crucial to determining the voting inclination of this group,” he said. The Johor state election will see 172 candidates contesting 56 seats. Polling will be held on Saturday (July 11), while early voting is scheduled for July 7. -- BERNAMA

JOHOR BAHRU, July 6  — Campaigning for the 16th Johor State Election, now in its second week, has seen the two main political coalitions intensify their groundwork to reach out to the voters, with each banking on its own unique approaches to win the people’s hearts. Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN), both fielding […]

Alleged sabotage Incidents Won’t Affect PH campaign Momentum – Fuziah

JOHOR BAHRU, July 2 -- The Pakatan Harapan (PH) campaign in constituencies contested by its candidates in the Johor State Election continues to run smoothly despite several minor incidents described as sabotage attempts. PKR secretary-general Datuk Fuziah Salleh said the incidents included the removal and damage of posters, as well as the burning of party flags, but insisted that they have not affected the overall momentum of the ongoing PH campaign. “There were a few incidents such as posters being torn, billboards damaged and flags being burned, but overall our campaign (in the Johor polls) is still calm and the momentum has not been affected.” she said. Fuziah, who is also the Deputy Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, said this at a press conference held in conjunction with a review of the Budi MADANI Diesel subsidy assistance mechanism at a petrol station here today. Also present were Johor Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) director Lilis Saslinda Pornomo. According to her, the intensity of PH’s campaign in the Johor polls continues to be intensified, with every candidate having a packed schedule from dawn until midnight, attending up to 10 programmes daily. She said feedback from voters towards PH candidates, especially youths and first-time voters, has been very positive and shows increasing support for the Federal ruling coalition. Asked about PH candidates for the Skudai and Perlis state seats, who had announced what they claimed was a manifesto earlier, she clarified that it was not an official party manifesto, but the commitment or determination of the candidates to their respective areas. She said issues such as local matters, including waste collection problems, should not be considered a manifesto as they do not represent comprehensive state policies. “When we talk about the manifesto, we are talking about the major policies that can and will be implemented when PH forms the state government. What the candidates mentioned are simply pledges to assist their respective constituencies. “That is not a manifesto, it’s more of an effort or commitment by the candidates to help their areas only, not the big policies of the state government,” she said. The PH manifesto for the Johor state election is expected to be announced tomorrow. A total of 172 candidates are contesting the Johor state election, with polling set for July 11, while early voting will take place on July 7. -- BERNAMA 

JOHOR BAHRU, July 2 — The Pakatan Harapan (PH) campaign in constituencies contested by its candidates in the Johor State Election continues to run smoothly despite several minor incidents described as sabotage attempts. PKR secretary-general Datuk Fuziah Salleh said the incidents included the removal and damage of posters, as well as the burning of party […]

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” 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 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 […]

Johor Polls: Kota Iskandar’s Development Must Benefit The People – PH’s Dzulkefly

JOHOR BAHRU, June 30 -- Kota Iskandar's status as the seat of the Johor state administration and a hub for major development projects must bring tangible benefits to the people, not merely be reflected in investment figures and economic growth, said the Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate contesting the seat in the Johor state election. Dzulkefly Ahmad said feedback gathered during the campaign showed that several basic issues remained a source of concern for residents and required more comprehensive solutions. He said the issues most frequently raised included infrastructure, traffic congestion, flooding, the land status of places of worship, educational facilities and the need to improve public amenities. "With investments worth RM110 billion, state revenue of RM2.67 billion and state reserves amounting to RM2.8 billion, the people should be able to enjoy the benefits of such development. We should not merely focus on the numbers while those on the ground do not experience the benefits," he told Bernama. Dzulkefly said among the issues requiring attention was the land ownership status of several non-Muslim places of worship, including Ladang Lam Sam Temple in Kangkar Pulai, which has yet to obtain a resolution over its land title even though the land had already been surrendered to the state government for it to be awarded to the temple. He also said there was a need to upgrade the shortcut to the Tamil national-type school in the Nusantara area via Bukit Tempurung, which remains unpaved, while traffic congestion along the FT005 and J07 routes connecting Johor Bahru and Gelang Patah continued to irk residents. According to him, the frequent flooding in Kampung Baru Muafakat and Kampung Pulai, as well as unresolved land ownership issues involving residents of Kampung Pulai Mutiara despite the area's regularisation process having been completed, also required attention. He said these issues could only be resolved through coordination among the relevant agencies and not ad hoc measures. "I find that some of the solutions implemented previously were temporary and ad hoc in nature. What is needed are long-term solutions that can comprehensively ease congestion because it affects the daily lives of residents," he said. Dzulkefly also pledged to pursue the construction of a new public market in Gelang Patah should PH be given the mandate to form the Johor state government in the election on July 11. He said the existing facility, known as Taman Nusa Perintis Market, faced several issues, including land ownership, parking space and infrastructure that no longer met the needs of the rapidly growing area. "Therefore, if PH forms the government, we will ensure that a new public market is built there because Gelang Patah is no ordinary area. The state administrative centre is located here, as are the Port of Tanjung Pelepas, Legoland and Puteri Harbour," he said. On his campaign approach, Dzulkefly said face-to-face engagement would remain his priority to enable him to hear the people's concerns directly, while also leveraging social media and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, to engage young voters and Generation Z. The Kota Iskandar constituency, which has 132,579 registered voters, is seeing a four-cornered contest involving Dzulkefly, Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate S. Anna Pravina, incumbent Datuk Pandak Ahmad representing Barisan Nasional (BN) and Sahrudin Omar of Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama). -- BERNAMA 

JOHOR BAHRU, June 30 — Kota Iskandar’s status as the seat of the Johor state administration and a hub for major development projects must bring tangible benefits to the people, not merely be reflected in investment figures and economic growth, said the Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate contesting the seat in the Johor state election. Dzulkefly […]

Johor Polls: Suhaizan Confident PH Can Reclaim Larkin If Voter Turnout Improves

JOHOR BAHRU, June 30 -- Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Larkin seat, Suhaizan Kaiat, is optimistic about recapturing the seat from Barisan Nasional (BN) in the 16th Johor state election. He said his confidence is based on voting patterns seen during the 14th General Election (GE14), which demonstrated that BN could be defeated in the constituency when voter turnout is high. According to Suhaizan, the outcome of the 2022 Johor state election should not be treated as a definitive benchmark, as turnout then stood at only 51 per cent due to limitations brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. “The more accurate picture is reflected in the general election. If turnout in this state election improves, then our chances of winning will be stronger,” he told Bernama after an engagement with constituents in Larkin today. The Pulai Member of Parliament also believes there is potential support from Bersatu voters to shift towards PH following recent political developments affecting the relationship between Bersatu and PAS. Suhaizan said PH’s previous cooperation with Bersatu in an earlier political alliance could encourage Bersatu supporters to back him, particularly as Bersatu is not fielding a candidate in Larkin this time. In GE14, the Larkin seat was won by Datuk Mohd Izhar Ahmad, who contested under the PH (Bersatu) banner, before BN’s Mohd Hairi Mad Shah reclaimed the seat in the 2022 Johor state election. In this election, Suhaizan faces a three-cornered contest against Bersama candidate Norsinah Abu and incumbent Mohd Hairi. The Johor state election features 172 candidates contesting 56 state seats, with polling set for July 11 and early voting scheduled for July 7. To get the latest news on the 16th Johor state election, visit https://prn.bernama.com/johor. -- BERNAMA 

JOHOR BAHRU, June 30 — Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Larkin seat, Suhaizan Kaiat, is optimistic about recapturing the seat from Barisan Nasional (BN) in the 16th Johor state election. He said his confidence is based on voting patterns seen during the 14th General Election (GE14), which demonstrated that BN could be defeated in the […]