19 - Pasir Gudang, Johor: Fortitude Amid Defeat

Summary

RUNNING IN PASIR GUDANG

I strongly believe that contesting a parliamentary constituency is so much more than merely winning the seat in an election. It is about serving others, and standing up for your principles. You must believe in your vision, and the narratives the people should subscribe to in the next coming decades. As a leader, contesting, or winning a seat in an election is not an end by itself.

It has always been my stance and principle that this is the area where an elected representative should actively serve; where he or she is present for the constituents. There needs to be a strong connection with the people and the entire local community. Only then, will you be able to understand their concerns, their needs and their wants.

In my case, Pasir Gudang has always been the place where my family and I live. I know the people there, and they know me well too. This has been the case since the last few elections. I understand their concerns and I have been working to address them one by one. I want to see them grow, and treated justly by those who are above them. Most of my constituents are from low- and middle-income families. They are hardworking and honest individuals, earning a decent living in their respective fields, trying to chase the “Malaysian Dream”.

But as wages are stagnant and prices of basic goods increased, someone must take care of them, speak and console their postmodern uncertainties. Therefore, I naturally decided to contest in Pasir Gudang. Certainly, I was aware that there were other safer seats which were easier to win. But winning is not the main point. Serving the people is what matters. If I cannot connect on a personal level with the people and I am a stranger to them, it defeats the whole idea of becoming a wakil rakyat.

BARISAN NASIONAL's CAMPAIGN IN JOHOR

There were three key focuses in our party's campaign. Firstly, an offer to ensure and improve the well-being of Johoreans. Secondly, to position the state as the southern economic powerhouse with substantial and meaningful contributions to Malaysia. And thirdly, to push and prepare Johor to become a strong competitor especially to its neighbour, Singapore. The strategy was called “Mengejar Singa” or generally translated as “Chasing the Lion” (Bait al Amanah 2018).