JOHOR - DAP candidate for Parit Raja Shazwan Dzainal Abidin said the upcoming three-cornered fight in the constituency is expected to be tightly contested, adding that he views both opponents as strong challengers deserving of respect.
The contest in Parit Raja sees him facing incumbent Barisan Nasional candidate Nor Rashidah Ramli as well as Perikatan Nasional contender Dr Mohamed Maliki Mohamed Rapiee in a three-cornered fight.
Asked who he considers his main rival, Shazwan said both are equally formidable.
"Both are real opponents. I respect both sides. I see them more as friends and fellow candidates I know.
"Each has their own strengths and potential and I cannot underestimate either of them. Both are real challenges for me," he told Sinar Daily.
On voter cynicism that politicians only appear during election periods, Shazwan rejected the notion, pointing to his previous service record at Penggaram as evidence of sustained ground engagement.
"I have served in Penggaram before. If people say I only come during elections, that is not accurate. You can ask the voters there about my years of service and how I worked on the ground," he said.
He added that his experience in public service will be brought into Parit Raja if given the mandate, stressing continuity in community engagement beyond election cycles.
On perceptions that DAP only performs well in urban constituencies, Shazwan dismissed the claim, arguing that the party has consistently contested in semi-rural and rural areas as well.
"There is a perception that DAP only wins in urban areas, but that is not true. We have contested in various types of constituencies, including village areas.
"My presence here itself shows that we are engaging beyond urban seats," he said.