[UPDATED] Johor polls: Warisan to field six fresh faces

JOHOR BARU – Sabah-based Warisan will be fielding six fresh faces in the Johor polls to mark its official entry into peninsular politics as president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal announced ahead of nomination day tomorrow. 

The candidates are: 

- N06 Bekok: Sandara Sengaran Arumagam, 54, legal executive

- N29 Mahkota: Mohamed Noor Suleiman, 61, activist, president of Mercy Johor Chapter, son of the former Johor state secretary

- N42 Johor Jaya: Chen Hain Kai, 53, businessman

- N43 Permas: Mohamed Ridza Busu, 54, lawyer

- N51 Bukit Batu: Lee Ming Wen, 38, businessman

- N55 Pekan Nenas: Hishamuddin Busri, 50, businessman

Shafie said the candidates are from different backgrounds including lawyers, businessmen and activists, and they are fresh faces contesting for the first time.

“Warisan wants to provide a choice to the people of Johor. Fielding six candidates, we strive to become an effective opposition in the state.” 

“During the state elections in Melaka and Sarawak, we opted to help the opposition. Judging from the results, we saw that the people had no choice. So, Warisan is here to provide a choice for the people of Johor.

“Warisan contesting in Johor is a statement that the party is now in Peninsular Malaysia; this election established that,” he said, adding that all the candidates are Johoreans.

Shafie also said that the party being new in Peninsular Malaysia will not hinder the success of its candidates because Warisan was once new when it contested for the first time in Sabah in 2018, and yet it had toppled the Barisan Nasional state government.

“Warisan does not fight for a particular race or religion, but we fight for all people; we must be united in building a nation.

“We must let the people know (through this election) that there is no party in the world that has the power to change the political landscape in a democratic country, but the power is in the hands of the people. Only the people have the power to change the political landscape of Malaysia.”

In a press conference, he said Warisan will be loud and consistent and with strong principles when representing the people.

He added that the party chose to go for only six seats as it only wants to contest in those with the most potential.

“There is no point in contesting all the seats but only winning a few.”

Shafie also said the party will be standing alone without help from other parties, saying that it is time for a party to collaborate with the people to avoid political instability. – The Vibes, February 25, 2022