Warisan to field six candidates in Johor, challenge five Harapan seats

 

JOHOR POLLS | Sabah-based Warisan is fielding six candidates in the Johor election.

The party will be placing candidates in Bekok, Johor Jaya, Pekan Nanas, Mahkota, Bukit Batu, and Permas.

With the exception of Permas, all other seats are currently held by Pakatan Harapan.

DAP holds Bekok, Johor Jaya and Pekan Nanas, while Amanah is the incumbent for Mahkota and PKR Bukit Batu.

Permas was won by Bersatu in 2018. Amanah will be contesting the seat for Harapan in the state election.

Warisan's six candidates are Hishamuddin Busri (Pekan Nanas), Sandara Segaran Arumugam (Bekok), Mohamed Noor Suleiman (Mahkota), Chen Hain Kai (Johor Jaya), Lee Ming Wen (Bukit Batu) and Mohamed Ridza Busu (Permas).

Speaking at a press conference later, Shafie described the candidates as being locals from their areas with various backgrounds, including experience working with other political parties.

In Mahkota, Shafie said Mohamed Noor is also the son of Johor’s former state secretary, the late Suleiman Md Noor, aside from being actively involved in humanitarian activities.

In Pekan Nenas, Shafie credited Hishamuddin as a seasoned politician, initially from Umno and later Bersatu, before leaving the party earlier this month with some 300 members from the Tanjung Piai division.

"Our total number of candidates may be small, but we want to state the need to have a very strong opposition representative in Johor to check and balance (the government).

"This is also our preparation to face the 15th general elections. This is our start in the Peninsula to set up Warisan's structure beginning from Johor," he said.

Asked on Warisan's rationale behind selecting its six seats, Shafie said the party had received more offers from candidates seeking to contest but considerations made include reserving potentials for GE15.

"We don't want to be aligned with any political parties but we are aligned to the people of Johor.

"We work with the people to determine their future, not necessarily with any existing parties," he said.

Warisan had launched its debut in the peninsula last December by announcing a GE15 corporation with Muda but Shafie today confirmed the Sabah-based party will be relying on its own machinery in Johor.

Shafie further expressed confidence in the people's choice, as well as the outcome of efforts put in by the candidates.

Despite contesting in only six seats, Shafie said the impact of Warisan's candidates in the 56-seat Johor state assembly could still be felt through the issues raised.

He also pledged that Warisan will not enter into any form of agreement with the new ruling state coalition, as it would prefer to be a strong opposition. - Mkini