JOHOR BAHRU: Lawyer friends Isa Basir and Jimmy Puah used to handle cases together, but now they are up against one another to win the hearts of voters in the Tebrau parliamentary constituency.
Despite having different political views, Isa, who is representing Perikatan Nasional (PN), and Puah of Pakatan Harapan (PH) remain professional and friendly in their struggle to secure victory in the 15th general election (GE15).
Describing the clash with his old friend as a “gentlemen’s fight”, Puah, who is also Johor PKR deputy chairman, left it to the people of Tebrau to decide which representative they wanted.
“Isa is an old friend because we used to be on the PH Legal Bureau team. I have known him for a long time. So, I wish him all the best.
“We are in a gentlemen’s fight and I have never attacked him personally.
“I respect him as a lawyer. We are professionals and have no problem. For me, we have our own vision and what we can offer voters in Tebrau. It is up to the people to decide,” he said.
Puah, who is also the former state International trade, investment and utilities committee chairman, said Tebrau was not a safe seat for PKR in Johor due to various factors but would go all out to capture the seat.
“We must admit that we are now facing a challenge as voters are tired and have a low opinion of politicians.
“Also, young voters may not be interested in voting, and there may also be voters who have had enough of political instability in Malaysia.
“So, it is a challenge to convince them to come out and vote,” he said.
Isa said he had no problem confronting his old friend whom he had known since 2005 upon returning to Johor to start his legal career.
“We are colleagues in the legal field and even handled cases together. So there is no problem.
“But I did not expect to face him and neither did he,” said the former Johor Bahru city councillor, who is making his debut in GE15.
“I believe I can achieve victory, but I consider myself the underdog.
“From the feedback I’ve received, many people know Isa but are unfamiliar with my face.
“So I hope when I go out to meet the Tebrau residents and put up posters and billboards, they will come out to vote for me because I am a Tebrau native and know what the people want,” he said.
Puah and Isa are in a three-way clash with Barisan Nasional candidate Nicole Wong to win the Tebrau parliamentary seat. - FMT
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