Muda announces lawyer and activists for three Johor seats

JOHOR POLLS | Muda has unveiled another three candidates for the Johor polls today.

Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman announced human rights lawyer Lim Wei Jiet for Tenang during an event in Labis, Johor this afternoon.

Activists Afiqah Zulkifli and Azrul Rahani will contest in Bukit Kepong and Bukit Permai respectively.

On Feb 14, Muda had announced its secretary-general Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz as the candidate for Puteri Wangsa.

This means there are two seats left that Muda has yet to announce, namely Parit Raja and Machap.

These are the six seats which Amanah and DAP had surrendered to Muda.

It is still unclear if Muda plans to contest more than six after its negotiations with PKR collapsed.

Challenging convention

The choice of Lim challenges convention as no political party, be it in the government or opposition, has as ever fielded a non-Malay in Tenang.

Tenang, which comprises 50 percent Malays, 38 percent Chinese, 11 percent Indians and two percent others, has substantial Felda and estate voters.

Lim, who was elected as the National Human Rights Society of Malaysia (Hakam) secretary-general in 2018, has acted in various public interest cases.

This included winning a case against Malaysia Airlines which had sacked a union leader for publicly criticising the company.

Lim said his desire to serve was inspired by his mother, who is a teacher and had served in the Muar and Pagoh area, and also based on advice from fellow lawyer Ambiga Sreenevasan.

"Among the most important lesson she taught me was that you can advance your career but don't forget to serve the people who need it," he said.

Activism work

Bukit Kepong candidate Afiqah has been a long-time activist since her university days.

In 2015, Afiqah who was then the International Islamic University Malaysia Student Representative Council president was suspended for one semester after she organised a forum on the Good and Services Tax.

The university had taken issue with her as the forum was attended by opposition speakers.

Syed Saddiq said Afiqah, upon graduating with a degree in city planning, had continued with her activism in Muar.

Even though Muar is an opposition constituency and did not get funding, Afiqah managed to fundraise to buy 1,600 laptops and tablets for struggling families (for e-learning during the pandemic).

Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman

"She also raised funds for 30,000 food baskets during the Covid-19 lockdown, not only for families in Muar but all of Johor," he said.

Afiqah, also the daughter of a teacher, spoke about the imbalance in development.

"The elites' definition of development is skyscrapers and a large number of unaffordable housing but what is the benefit for those outside of the cities," she said, pledging to push for a more equitable development policy.

If Bersatu retains its incumbent in Bukit Kepong, Afiqah will go up against former Johor menteri besar Sahruddin Jamal, who won with a 1,273-vote majority.

The state seat is within the Pagoh parliamentary constituency that neighbours Muar. The seat comprises 69 percent Malays, 27 percent Chinese, three percent Indian and one percent others.

Felda descendent

In Bukit Permai, Muda will be represented by Azrul, a third-generation Felda settler who went on to graduate with a degree in animation.

Syed Saddiq said Azrul has also been a long-time activist, including holding out in Sarawak to help protests against the Baram dam.

He has also spent most of his time doing activism work in Johor.

Azrul admitted that he was nervous as he had always been a "behind the scenes person" but said he was prepared to serve.

"On social media, people may say that Muda comprises people from M40 families, but I would like to say that I am here to represent you.

"I was raised in a Felda, people call me a Felda person and also an estate person as I used to work in an estate in Johor Bahru.

"I then left to study and got involved in the arts industry and later got involved in activism," he said.

Azrul said he wanted to help third and fourth generation Felda settlers to find their place in the settlement through modern farming instead of having to leave to cities to earn a living.

Bukit Permai comprises 54 percent Malay, 34 percent Chinese and 12 percent Indians.

The constituency, like many in southern Johor, has a Felda settlement but has since grown into a suburban area from rapid development.

Johoreans will go to the polls on March 12. The nomination day is set for Feb 26. - Mkini