BATU PAHAT - The young DAP candidate for the Bukit Permai seat, Mohamad Shafwan Ani, is seen as the party’s best bet to create history as DAP makes its debut in the constituency in the 16th Johor state election.
Johor DAP chairman Teo Nie Ching said the selection of 33-year-old Shafwan was based on his experience and nine-year track record serving in the Kulai parliamentary constituency, as well as his active involvement with the local community.
"Shafwan is the most suitable candidate because he has served in this area for nine years and has been a DAP member for the same period. During that time, he has gone through many challenges and worked under the Kulai Member of Parliament’s office.
"I believe this has given him many opportunities to get to know voters here, and many from parent-teacher associations, residents’ associations, neighbourhood watch groups, and other associations here also know him,” she told Bernama after the Bukit Permai nomination process at Dewan Raya Putra here today.
Shafwan, representing Pakatan Harapan (PH), will face incumbent Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor of Barisan Nasional (BN), M. Lina Manoh of Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Muhammad Aidil Riduan Mohd Yusof of Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama).
Teo, who is also Deputy Communications Minister, also urged voters living outside the constituency to return home to vote on July 11 to decide the future of Bukit Permai.
Commenting on campaign strategy, she said that although she needs to mobilise the PH campaign across Johor as state DAP chairman, the machinery in the Kulai parliamentary constituency has its own strength through close cooperation between DAP and PKR.
"We have a strong team in Kulai and will continue working together to ensure all PH candidates achieve good results,” she said.
The Kulai MP said the Johor state election is not just a state-level contest but is important in ensuring the federal government has room to continue its reform agenda and maintain political stability.
According to Teo, various reforms have been implemented under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s administration, including amendments related to citizenship rights for children born overseas to Malaysian mothers, as well as improvements in worker protection.
She also reminded all supporters to practise mature politics throughout the campaign period by avoiding issues related to race, religion and royalty, and to maintain a respectful and courteous campaign.
Meanwhile, Mohamad Shafwan said one of his main priorities if elected is to ensure that new housing development is balanced with the provision of public amenities.
"I want to see more balanced development. When residential areas expand, public facilities must also be built in tandem so that congestion and lack of amenities do not continue,” he said.
The Election Commission (EC) has set polling day for July 11, with early voting on July 7. - BERNAMA