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BATU PAHAT – Former DAP MP candidate for Tanjung Piai, Mahdzir Ibrahim, who is contesting the Semerah seat in the Johor polls for Pejuang, said his decision to switch parties was to get a platform to solve the people's problems.
He said it also provides him the opportunity to contest in his hometown.
Mahdzir, 46, who was among the Malay candidates contesting on DAP’s ticket in the 13th general election, said he joined the party helmed by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad because DAP had deviated from its main goal of helping the people.
“When PH (Pakatan Harapan) took over the government in 2018, I saw DAP deviate from empowering the party and managing the people’s issues. It also deviated from my goal in joining DAP, which is to help the people,” he said.
Mahdzir said his shift from DAP, a multi-racial party, to Malay-based Pejuang would not hinder him from serving the people.
“My priority is to serve all races, and as a leader, I’ll be fair to all, regardless of their race,” he added.
On his promise to Semerah’s constituents, Mahdzir said his focus is on youth development.
“I will help small traders and the young people. Since there is a beach here, it can be developed as a tourist attraction in an effort to develop local entrepreneurs,” he said.
It will be a five-cornered fight for the Semerah seat involving Mahdzir, Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid of Barisan Nasional, incumbent Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar from PKR, Datuk Ariss Samsudin from Perikatan Nasional, and Kamarolzaman Mohd Jidi from Putra .
Khuzzan won the seat in the 14th general election with a majority of 98 votes against BN candidate Mohd Ismail Roslan. – Bernama, March 2, 2022
