Johor Polls: Wong Banks On Proven Track Record To Retain Senai For PH

By Marfika Adnan Haris Fadzilah

​​KULAI, June 29 (BERNAMA) -- Armed with what he described as a strong track record during the previous term, Senai incumbent Wong Bor Yang expressed confidence that Pakatan Harapan (PH) will retain the state seat in the upcoming 16th Johor state election.

Campaigning on his proven track record, Wong said his previous term demonstrated his commitment to championing the people’s welfare, particularly through flood management initiatives and improvements to local public facilities.

He said his previous stint as the state assemblyman was not a period of adjustment, but rather a continuation of the work and experience he had gained in district administration since 2014.

The former journalist said his experience spanning different phases of Malaysia's political landscape has given him a unique advantage to continue serving the Senai state constituency.

“Since 2014, I have served as a special officer at the Kulai Member of Parliament’s (MP) office. Over the past 12 years, I have served in every capacity - from being on the opposition bench, to becoming part of the government as a local councillor in 2018, and eventually being given the mandate to serve as the Senai state assemblyman,” Wong told Bernama here today.

Wong said his varied experience has shaped his leadership style, enabling him to act as a practical problem-solver in the interests of residents rather than being constrained by partisan political rhetoric.

Reflecting on his record during the previous term, Wong pointed to his persistent efforts to press government agencies to resolve the long-standing flash flood issues affecting several flood-prone areas in the constituency.

“Although I was part of the opposition, I continued to use petitions and debates in the state assembly to push for project approvals. As a result, the state government approved RM1 million to upgrade the drainage system in Taman Aman and channel it into the Sungai Skudai.

“In addition, through close cooperation with Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching, we secured another RM3 million for two projects to upgrade the drainage systems in Peladang Kulai Besar and Saleng, removing both areas from the district's list of flash flood hotspots,” he said.

Beyond basic infrastructure issues, Wong said he has also drawn on his background to promote Senai's more than 100-year historical heritage, including transforming a former cinema into a community operations centre and upgrading a 20-year-old badminton court into a family recreational area known as Tiny Lake under the Sejati MADANI programme.

He said that if given a second term, he would push for reforms to local healthcare facilities, which he described as becoming increasingly urgent.

A journalism graduate of Shih Hsin University in Taiwan, Wong said he has consistently called for an upgrade of Kulai Hospital, arguing that its current 93-bed capacity is no longer sufficient to serve the district's projected population of 500,000 by 2030.

“In the new term, my top priority is to ensure healthcare issues continue to be addressed. I will continue pressing for the resolution of the land issue that has delayed the construction of a new Health Clinic in Taman Mewah, Senai, due to bureaucratic hurdles at the state level, so that the Health Ministry can begin construction as soon as possible,” he said.

Facing challenges from new candidates, Wong said he believes the politically mature and dynamic Bangsa Johor electorate will judge candidates based on their performance and proven track record, rather than on empty promises.

Wong will face a three-cornered contest for the Senai state seat, which has 66,635 registered voters, against Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Tai Chee Chee and Bersama candidate Tew Chien How.

Polling for the Johor state election is scheduled for July 11, with early voting on July 7.

For the latest news on the 16th Johor state election, visit https://prn.bernama.com/johor/.

-- BERNAMA

N52: SENAI: 66,635 voters

1. Tai Chee Chee     (BN-MCA)

2. Wong Bor Yang    (PH-DAP)

3. Tew Chien How    (Bersama)

(2022: Wong Bor Yang: PH-DAP: Maj: 5,921)