KLUANG - Barisan Nasional (BN) is banking on its two women candidates to capture the two state seats in the Kluang parliamentary constituency in this March 12 Johor state election.
The candidates are former Johor Umno Wanita chief Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain for the Mahkota seat and a new face, Kelly Chye Pei Yee, who is the youngest candidate in this state election, is fielded in Mengkibol.
For Sharifah Azizah, she said she has the edge, compared to her contenders for the seat as she is from Kluang and therefore understands better the problems facing the constituents there.
The incumbent Penawar Assemblywoman pledged to do work harder if given the mandate by the voters in the Mahkota constituency if given the mandate in this state election.
"My late father (Datuk Syed Zain Al Shahab) was the first Kluang UMNO leader. So, I intend to continue with my father’s legacy,” she said in an interview with Bernama at here residence here.
The other contenders for the Mahkota seat are Mohamad Nor Lingan, of Perikatan Nasional (PN); Muhammad Taqiuddin Cheman of Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Mohamed Noor Suleiman, from Parti Warisan (Warisan).
Sharifah Azizah, 61, said women now play a check and balance role in the country's politics.
In the 14th General Election (GE14), the Mahkota seat was won by PH candidate Muhamad Said Jonit, of Amanah,.
He secured 19,507 votes and defeated BN candidate Datuk Md Jais Sarday and Muhammad Hasbullah Md Najib, of PAS.
Last year, Muhamad Said announced that he was leaving Amanah to join PKR.
As for Chye, who has just turned 26, she realised that it is an uphill task for her to capture Mengkibol as the seat had been under DAP and PH for several terms.
However, she expressed confidence on winning the seat through the votes of the young voters, especially the first time voters.
"I have a strong back-up from MCA and BN. They always guide me because I am a newbie in politics. I have been told of problems facing the people in the constituency, like on the Kluang Public Market, which is in need of repair,” she said.
A law graduate from the Multimedia University (MMU), Chye said she would present a special manifesto for the Kluang community, especially the constituents in Mengkibol.
Chye is in a three-cornered fight for the Mengkibol seat. Her contenders are incumbent assemblyman Chew Chong Sin (PH) and Wong Chan Giap (PN).
Meanwhile, PN candidate for the Mahkota state seat, Mohamad Nor, 45, said his experience as a Kluang Municipal Council (MPK) member from 2001 to 2022 gave him the advantage to understand the needs of the urban community.
He said the assistance channeled by the government during the PN rule, such as the food basket and the moratorium during the COVID-19 pandemic was proof that the coalition cared about the people.
"That is the key performance indicator (KPI) or our report card. My relationship with government departments is also good. I have made brought many changes as a MPK council member and believe I can do more, if elected as assemblyman,” he added. - BERNAMA