02/07/2026 01:10 PM

Johor Polls: PSM's Sole Candidate Champions Cost Of Living Agenda In Skudai

By Yasmin Ahmad Zukiman

JOHOR BAHRU, July 2 (Bernama) -- Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)'s sole candidate in the 16th Johor state election, Amir Syafiq Ameer Soekre, has pledged to champion issues related to the rising cost of living, fair wages and the well-being of Skudai residents.

The Skudai state seat candidate said his years of grassroots activism, which began in his teens, had given him first-hand insight into the daily challenges faced by people in the constituency.

"Many Skudai residents work in Singapore. To us, this reflects a pressing issue because it shows that people are unable to cope with the cost of living on local incomes.

"They have to wake up as early as 3 or 4 am to travel to Singapore for work. That is a clear indication that people need adequate incomes to support themselves and their families, and this is one of the key issues we are fighting for," he told Bernama.

Amir Syafiq, 40, who works as a sales executive at a private company and also serves as PSM secretary, said he became involved with the party after participating in various activism initiatives during his teenage years before joining the party and actively assisting workers, settlers and other vulnerable groups.

He said his candidacy in the Johor polls was a continuation of his long-standing grassroots work and an opportunity to expand his advocacy for the people through the electoral platform.

A first-time candidate with a Master's degree in International Business Management from Teesside University, United Kingdom, Amir Syafiq said the cost of living, better income opportunities and quality public amenities were among the key priorities that needed greater attention in Skudai.

He said his vision was reflected in the slogan "Skudai Saksama" (Equitable Skudai), which promotes social equality through harmony among the multiracial community and more equitable economic distribution so that every resident has the opportunity to enjoy a better quality of life. 

Commenting on the four-cornered contest in Skudai, he said each candidate had their own strengths but expressed confidence that his grassroots approach and people-centric agenda would resonate with voters.

In the Johor election, Amir Syafiq will face Barisan Nasional candidate Tan Hiang Kee, Pakatan Harapan candidate Kartiyaini Jeyapalan and Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) candidate Eugene Chua Meng Chong.

The Johor state election has attracted 172 candidates contesting 56 state seats, with polling set for July 11 and early voting on July 7.

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

-- BERNAMA

 

N48: SKUDAI: JOHOR: 106,805 voters

1. Tan Hiang Kee (BN-MCA)

2. Kartiyaini Jeyapalan (PH-DAP)

3. Eugene Chua Meng Chong (Bersama)

4. Amir Syafiq Ameer Soekre (PSM)

(2022: Marina Ibrahim: PH-DAP: Maj: 13,943)

Keywords

Latest News