JOHOR BAHRU – An independent candidate has thrown his hat into the ring for the Puteri Wangsa state seat, adding another contender to what is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched contests in the 16th Johor state election.
Wang Wee Szong, 49, arrived at the nomination centre at SMK Taman Dato Onn in Tebrau at about 8.50am on Saturday to submit his nomination papers.
Dressed in a white shirt, Wang was accompanied by his two proposers as he entered the nomination centre.
The Puteri Wangsa race has attracted candidates from across the political spectrum, setting up a high-profile multi-cornered contest.
Pakatan Harapan (PH) is fielding former education minister Dr Maszlee Malik, who was accompanied to the nomination centre by PH secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and PKR vice-president Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.
Supporters of the Muda and PH also exchanged chants outside the nomination centre.
Muda supporters, who accompanied their candidate Rashifa Aljunied, repeatedly chanted “Bebas Rasuah” (Free from Corruption) and “Bebas Sampah” (Free from Rubbish), prompting PH supporters to respond with chants of their own.
Barisan Nasional (BN), through MCA, is represented by Teow Chia Ling, who officially entered the race at the nomination centre accompanied by MCA vice-president Datuk Tan Teik Cheng and a large group of supporters.
Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) candidate Nicholas Paul Vincent also submitted his nomination papers at the same venue.
The Election Commission is expected to confirm the final list of candidates contesting the Puteri Wangsa state seat after the close of the nomination process.