JOHOR BARU: Barisan Nasional's candidate for the Larkin state seat, Mohd Hairi Mad Shah, is campaigning on various agendas, including creating a hub for youth to gather and engage in activities.
Hairi, 38, who is Johor Umno Youth chief, said he was thankful to be selected as a candidate in the March 12 Johor election and pledged to advocate the needs of the younger generation.
Hairi, who has vast experience in community service, said Larkin was not an area that was unfamiliar to him.
"I am thankful to the Umno president and BN chairman for nominating me as the candidate for Larkin. I'm confident the people want change again.
"The development in Larkin is thanks to BN. I hope all Johoreans, especially those in Larkin, will vote for me on March 12.
"As a member of the Johor Baru City Council and member of the Sports Board, I have always been on the ground since I became Johor Baru BN Youth chief. I am always with the people and have organised many activities," he said in an interview on Sunday.
He said he would continue holding activities to engage with voters and adhere to Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SOP).
"My approach is to use social media more, but I will also go on walkabouts to meet Larkin folk.
"We accept the SOP. The coalition and I are familiar with the SOP as we were also part of the Sabah and Melaka elections. Our machinery understands the situation and accepts the rules."
Hairi is in a six-cornered fight for the Larkin seat, facing off against Malaysia United Democratic Alliance's Rasid Abu Bakar, PKR's Dr Zamil Najwah Arbain, Perikatan Nasional's Zulkifli Bujang, Parti Pejuang Tanah Air's Mohamad Riadz Mohamad Hashim and independent candidate Norramadan Buan.
In the 14th General Election, PKR's Mohd Izhar Ahmad won the Larkin seat with a 8,590-vote majority, beating BN's Datuk Yahya Ja'afar and Pas' Zakiah Tukirin.
Larkin is one of two state constituencies in the Johor Baru parliamentary constituency. The other state seat is Stulang, where Andrew Chen Kah Eng from Pakatan Harapan is seeking reelection. He faces Perikatan Nasional's Yap Chiang Youis, Parti Bangsa Malaysia's Muhammad Saiful Bahri Sahari and BN's Ang Boon Heng.