Ysahrudin promises entire assemblyman allowance for welfare if elected

BAKRI: Pakatan Harapan’s candidate for Bukit Naning, Ysahrudin Kusni, has pledged to channel his entire allowance as a state assemblyman into a public welfare fund if he is elected in the Johor election this Saturday.

He said the pledge was one of five commitments he was offering voters, alongside a focus on agriculture, healthcare, education and infrastructure to improve the quality of life for residents in the constituency.

Ysahrudin said he hoped his track record as Bukit Naning assemblyman from 2018 would help gain voters’ confidence, particularly his resolution of the area’s water tank issue, which had stretched on for more than 30 years.

“I hope the services and contributions I made previously will be reflected in the people’s support at the ballot box.

“I also want to represent all communities, not just one segment of society,” he said, adding that he has met about 70% of voters so far.

Facing a five-cornered contest, Ysahrudin said he was not underestimating any of his rivals, as each had their own strengths.

However, he said he was more concerned about independent candidate S Jeganathan, who secured about 1,500 votes in the constituency in the 2022 state election.

Ysahrudin also contested the Bukit Naning seat in the 2022 state election, but lost to Barisan Nasional’s Fuad Tukirin who won with a 1,535 vote-majority.

Meanwhile, Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Radzi Amin said his more than 25 years of service in Bukit Naning would be his main advantage in winning over voters despite facing the strengths of the PH and BN machineries.

“I served as a parent-teacher association chairman for 13 years and was also a special officer to former Bukit Naning assemblyman Abdullah Khalid Ali,” said Radzi, the Bakri Bersatu chief.

BN candidate Ghazali Sabari, meanwhile, urged voters to retain the current Johor government to ensure political stability and continued development in the state.

“I urge the people to retain the BN-led Johor government. With the stability we have, God willing, we can build an even better government, and I hope the winning majority in Bukit Naning can be increased,” he said.

Jeganathan said he was confident of making history by winning the Bukit Naning seat despite having lost there twice, including in the 2018 state election.

“I have never given up and have continued helping the people. Residents here have also shown me their support. In the last election, I received 1,514 votes, and this time I am targeting more than 6,000 votes to win,” he said.