PONTIAN: The three other candidates running against Datuk Hasni Mohammad for the Benut seat in the Johor state election are confident that they are capable of giving the Menteri Besar a run for his money, with only five days left for campaign.
The three are Senator Datuk Isa Abd Hamid of Perikatan Nasional (PN), Haniff @ Ghazali Hosman of PKR and Iskandar Noor Ibrahim representing Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang).
Each believed that he has what it takes to win the votes from 28,165 voters in Benut.
Isa, 55, said he was able to give an equally tough competition to all the other candidates even with Hasni of Barisan Nasional (BN) being the main contender in the four-cornered fight.
Hasni, who is also Johor BN chairman, has been the assemblyman for Benut for three terms since 2008 and Pontian Member of Parliament for a term since 2004.
Apart from having been a Senator in charge of Orang Asli since 2016, Isa said his participation in the law-making process and being part of the government were his advantages.
"My strength is that I was born and raised here in Benut. I was a teacher at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Benut from 1998 to 2008. For that 10 years, many children in the constituency became my students.
"And during the campaign, I met many of them, all grown up now," said the former director of Pahang Orang Asli Development Department.
Meanwhile, Haniff, 42, admitted the tough competition, especially from Hasni in the contest for the seat.
Nevertheless, he said he believed that he would be able to garner support from the voters in the state constituency as he was also quite well known for his service as a Benut Council member before.
"I'm confident of my chances but I will not underestimate the opponents and I will go all out in my campaign...maybe the people want to see a change after being under the same administration for far too long," he said.
Iskandar Noor, 66, on the other hand, said that despite this being his first participation in a state election, he believed that every candidate has an equal chance of winning the hearts of the voters with their own approach and strategy.
"A new candidate may have a good run on the beginner's luck...our book is new so it's easy for us to write down our plans on that empty pages," said the candidate who holds a Master of Science in Business Information System from the University of East London.
The three candidates have also set some key focus areas including ensuring the wellbeing and improving the socio-economic status of the constituents if given the mandate to represent them.
Isa, for one, lined up six main agendas, including improving cockle-farming and marketing activities, increasing the number of affordable houses and creating a bundle-clothing business hub to boost the economic activities and tourism sector in Benut.
Haniff wanted to eradicate poverty by improving every policy related to people's wellbeing and offering various skill training programmes, especially to women to increase their income, while Iskandar Noor committed to expanding the potential of agriculture and freshwater products and improving infrastructure and internet network in Benut.
Early voting is tomorrow, while polling is on Saturday.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Mon Mar 07 2022
The three other candidates running against Datuk Hasni Mohammad for the Benut seat in the Johor state election are confident that they are capable of giving the Menteri Besar a run for his money. - BERNAMA
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.
Minimum wage to increase to RM1,700 effective Feb 1, 2025
The Progressive Wage Policy would be fully enforced next year with an allocation of RM200 million, benefiting 50,000 workers.
Bursa Malaysia ends higher on Budget 2025 optimism
The benchmark index, which opened 1.85 points higher at 1,643.29, moved between 1,641.71 and 1,649.31 throughout the trading session.
Five important aspects relating to people’s lives in Budget 2025 - PM
The focus is on driving the MADANI Economy, speeding reforms, cutting red tape, raising wages, and tackling the cost of living.
Economic outlook: Govt plans to leverage, expand existing city transit system
The expansion aims to provide a more efficient and reliable public transportation network, reduce congestion, and improve accessibility.