With over half of voters under 39, Pakatan’s Pasir Raja hopeful says youth can shape Johor’s future

KOTA TINGGI, July 6 — Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) Pasir Raja candidate believes the constituency’s large youth electorate, including first-time voters, could play a decisive role in shaping Johor’s future at the upcoming state election.

Fakharuddin Moslim said young voters form a distinct demographic in Pasir Raja, with 54 per cent of eligible voters aged below 39.

The 38-year-old agricultural entrepreneur said the group represents the key segment capable of bringing about change and influencing Johor’s future direction.

“Young voters need to be aware of this and, hopefully, they can play a role as they are more exposed to information and the use of technology.

“The youth voters in Pasir Raja should seize this opportunity to be the catalyst for change by going out to vote and choosing a leader that can bring new ideas,” he told Malay Mail during a campaign walkabout in the Chinese community areas of Kampung Sungai Telor here.

Fakharuddin, who is also a social activist and Johor PKR information chief, said he understood the challenges facing young people in the constituency.

“Basically, Pasir Raja needs to address youth issues related to job opportunities, education, entrepreneurship and recreation facilities.

“This is in addition to having generally safer and better-quality infrastructure in the constituency,” he said, adding that Pasir Raja’s future depends on young voters having the courage to make the right choices.

“I call on the young voters to make a change for a more progressive and sustainable Pasir Raja," said the political science graduate from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).

Fakharuddin, who also heads the Tenggara PKR division, said he is familiar with the Pasir Raja community after four years of grassroots work in the constituency.

He said he believes effective leadership requires close engagement with the community to better understand its aspirations.

“I was born and grew up here. So I tend to personally go to the ground and see the problems for myself.

“If elected, I would bring these shared aspirations and the general needs of the community to the Johor state assembly,” he said, adding that he faces a tough contest against former health minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba of Barisan Nasional (BN) and educator Yuhanita Yunan of Perikatan Nasional (PN).

Located in central-eastern Johor, Pasir Raja is part of the Kota Tinggi district and falls within the Tenggara parliamentary constituency.

The state seat is known for its historical significance as the former seat of the Johor Lama Sultanate and comprises a mix of rural settlements, plantation estates, Felda schemes and developing semi-urban communities.

The constituency has 29,818 registered voters and will see a three-cornered contest in the state election.

Polling is scheduled for July 11, while early voting will take place tomorrow.