Johor polls: Kempas holds special meaning for candidates

JOHOR BAHRU: Kempas, a suburb at the fringes of Johor Bahru, is usually famous among Malaysians for its otak-otak, a traditional delicacy made of fish paste flavoured with blended spices wrapped into banana leaf parcels and grilled over a hot bed of coals.

This time around though, Kempas is fast gaining prominence as one of the two seats - the other being Tiram - with seven-cornered fights for the Johor state election set for this Saturday (March 12).

To make things even more interesting, each candidate seems to have their own special bond with Kempas, which have spurred them to stand as candidates for the state seat.

For Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate, Datuk Ramlee Bohani, Kempas was a place entrusted to him when he was a member of Johor Bahru City Council from 2005 to 2018 before he was reappointed in 2020 until now.

He pledged to introduce several reforms if he was elected, including providing opportunities for youth to improve their lives, and solve the issue of flooding that has plagued Kempas.

"Youth interest in business is growing tremendously in Kempas. We (the government) need to think about how we can provide suitable business funding for them as well as provide opportunities for them, " he said.

Meanwhile, Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang) candidate, the eldest son of former Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian, Nornekman Osman, said he wants to continue his late father's legacy of serving the community.

Osman served as Kempas assemblyman from 1993 till 2013 and from 2018 till his death on Dec 21 last year.

"My late father gave his full attention and service to Kempas during his three terms as their elected representative. More than anything, I want to continue his struggle, "Nornekman added.

He pledged to improve the quality of life of the people in Kempas by beautifying the area as well as providing and upgrading the public service system, adding that he would develop Kempas into a tourist destination for visitors to the state.

"There are no tourist attractions in Kempas. There is no landmark. So, I think if tourism products are developed here, we can attract visitors and also benefit the local economy, "he said.

PKR candidate Napsiah Khamis @ Maharan said Kempas is her birthplace, and also where she studied growing up.

"My love and affection for Kempas mean the world to me. I remember my father telling me: remember where we gained knowledge, for that is where we must serve, "she said.

Napsiah, who is also Johor PKR Wanita chief, said her dream was to establish a shelter for abused women and children and work with relevant government agencies, besides seeing to the lack of early childhood education centres in Kempas.

The other four candidates are Perikatan Nasional (PN) Nur Faizal Abdullah and independent candidatess, private school teacher Mohd Azwan Abd Rahman, former village head Hambali Munadi, and contractor Mohd Suhimi A Rahman.

-- BERNAMA