Contest between two ex-assemblypersons adds colour to poll battle in Semerah
The contest for the Semerah seat in the Johor state election has captured public attention not only because it involves a five-cornered fight, but also two former assemblymen for the state constituency.
Ariss Samsudin is the assemblyman for Semerah from 2004 to 2013 under Barisan Nasional (BN), but contesting for the seat this year under Perikatan Nasional (PN) ticket.
He aims to wrest back the seat from incumbent Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar (above) of PKR.
Ariss said after almost a 10-year hiatus, he is back to serve the people in Semerah, and Johor in general and would focus on promoting the constituency to others, especially potential visitors and tourists.
“Semerah has several attractions that could be turned into tourism products, such as the restaurants selling best Asam Pedas dish, which is the signature dish of Batu Pahat and Semerah.
“Apart from that, we also have a beautiful mangrove beach which I intend to turn into a tourist destination.
“I hope when more people and tourists flock to Semerah, it will also create more job opportunities and increase the socio-economic status of the locals,” Ariss told Bernama recently.
Meanwhile, Mohd Khuzzan said with the slogan “Semerah Lebih Baik” (A Better Semerah), several plans have been made, including to create a high-tech industrial area in the constituency.
He said other plans include improving the telecommunications system and internet access to facilitate all quarters, especially students undergoing the online learning process.
“We will also strive to improve the efficiency of traffic control in line with the development of Semerah as Johor’s latest urban area, among others, by having a direct entry/exit route to the highway near Kangkar Senangar.
”Most importantly, is the effort to turn Semerah and Batu Pahat in general as an eco-tourism, heritage and food destination,” he said.
BN candidate Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid, on the other hand, said if elected, he would focus on employment opportunities for the youths by empowering the small and medium industry.
“At the same time, we will also ensure the wellbeing of fishermen by building new comfortable jetties to replace old and obsolete ones,” he said.
The other two candidates running for the Semerah seat are Kamarolzaman Mohd Jidi of Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra) and Mahdzir Ibrahim daripada Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang).
In the last general election, Mohd Khuzzan won with only a 98-vote majority against Mohd Ismail Roslan (BN) and Adnan Othman (PAS).
-Bernama
