First-time DAP candidate banking on grassroots work to retain Johor Jaya

JOHOR BAHRU: Pakatan Harapan’s candidate for Johor Jaya, Lee Wern Ying, is making her electoral debut in the state polls this Saturday but believes that eight years of grassroots work has left her well-prepared for the election race.

The 30-year-old said working alongside former three-term assemblyman Liow Cai Tung had given her firsthand experience in serving residents and handling local issues.

She said she had worked closely with Liow, including during her time as a Johor executive councillor.

“Wherever Liow went, I followed. We have been working together in Johor Jaya since 2018, so we are very familiar with the constituency and close to the residents,” she told FMT.

Lee, who studied political science, also opened up about her foray into politics. She said she was inspired to become a politician after interning at Liew Chin Tong’s office in 2014. Liew was then the Kluang MP.

“I have been in active politics since 2018,” she added.

If elected, Lee said she would focus on implementing election pledges and continuing to provide basic services.

One of her priorities is improving the public transport system by pushing for the Johor Jaya bus terminal in Jalan Dedap to be turned into a transport hub to complement the Rapid Transit System Link, the Automated Rapid Transit system and the Southern Shuttle service.

She said the terminal, as well as the adjacent public market and arcade, had needed upgrading for a long time.

She said Liow had repeatedly raised the matter in the Johor state assembly.

“But until today, there are no plans in sight for such upgrades.”

Lee is involved in a four-cornered fight against Barisan Nasional’s Chan San San, Lau Yi Leong of Bersama and independent candidate HP Lim.

When asked about the upcoming contest, Lee admitted she was a little anxious.

“I hope people will come out and vote,” she said.

Johor Jaya is a mixed seat where non-Malays comprise close to 60% of the electorate and Malays make up 40.1%. Chinese voters are the largest segment at 45.5%.