Young gun Rashifa challenges Maszlee to face voters in debate

JOHOR BAHRU – Muda's Puteri Wangsa candidate Rashifa Aljunied says she is ready to face her rival, former education minister Maszlee Malik, in a public debate if one is officially organised, following calls by netizens for a showdown between the two candidates.

The proposal gained traction after a post on Threads by Adom Tehh suggested that voters deserved to hear both candidates debate issues affecting the constituency.

Rashifa welcomed the idea, saying such a platform should prioritise local concerns rather than political theatrics.

"I would definitely be interested in a debate, but it should focus on the people and issues that matter most to residents because they deserve to have their voices heard.

"Local concerns and broader issues affecting Johor would be valuable topics for that kind of platform," she told Sinar Daily.

Muda's Puteri Wangsa candidate Rashifa Aljunied says she is ready to face her rival, former education minister Maszlee Malik, in a public debate if one is officially organised, following calls by netizens for a showdown between the two candidates.

Her openness to a debate comes as Puteri Wangsa emerges as one of the most closely watched contests in the Johor state election, pitting the young Muda candidate against former education minister Maszlee Malik.

Despite facing opponents who are older and more established, Rashifa said she is not intimidated and believes her years of grassroots service have prepared her for the challenge.

"For the past four years, we've been really working hard for the constituency," she said.

She argued that younger politicians should not automatically be seen as less capable of governing.

"A lot of the stigma surrounding younger candidates stems from the actions of some politicians who have cast a dark cloud over public perceptions of youth in politics.

"But I believe the four years of work that we've done prove that young people can serve effectively."

Rashifa also stressed that voters increasingly want representatives who are accessible and willing to engage directly with the people.

If elected, she pledged to be a strong advocate for residents and ensure their concerns are brought directly to policymakers and government agencies.

Among her priorities are establishing regular town halls, creating a climate action plan tailored to the constituency's unique demographics and tackling rising living costs and housing prices in Johor.

"I want to make sure residents' voices are heard," she said.

The Puteri Wangsa seat is set for a five-cornered contest in the Johor state election, with the Election Commission (EC) fixing July 11 as nomination day.

The constituency will see Rashifa facing Pakatan Harapan candidate Maszlee Malik, Barisan Nasional candidate Teow Chia Ling, Parti Bersama Malaysia candidate Nicholas Paul Vincent and independent candidate Wang Wee Siong.

Puteri Wangsa, which has the second-highest number of voters in Johor at 128,723, witnessed a six-cornered contest in the 15th Johor state election.

The seat was won by Muda's Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz, who secured 22,884 votes and a majority of 7,114 over Barisan Nasional's Ng Yew Aik of MCA, who garnered 15,770 votes.