Why artistes choose to stand as candidates
Published on: Friday, March 11, 2022
By: Bernama
Wind of Change: R. Arangkannal in a meeting with the press in Johor.
JOHOR BARU: The desire to change the country’s political landscape and serve the people have prompted two artistes to stand as candidates in the upcoming Johor State election.They are film director R. Arangkannal, 46, who is the sole Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) candidate and former graphic and animation designer, Azrol Rahani, 41, who is contesting as a Malaysian United Democratic (Muda) candidate.
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Both of them, who are social activists, said the current political instability was the reason for them to agree to contest and join politics.
Arangkannal, who is contesting for the Kota Iskandar seat, said the main factor that pushed him into the political arena was an historic event in 1998 which led to the change in the country’s political landscape until today.
“So, the people are waiting to see who will find a solution to this endless political problem. And this got worse with the Covid-19 pandemic. That is the main reason that pushed me to enter politics and to serve the people, “he said.
Azrol, who is contesting for the Bukit Permai seat, said his decision to get involved in politics was because he felt that by moving as a social activist alone, which he had been for 10 years, he could not contribute much to change the political landscape.
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Arangkannal and Azrol pledged to improve the socio-economic status of the locals if they were given the mandate by voters in their respective constituency.
In line with PSM’s struggle to prioritise human rights, Arangkannal wants to resolve the issue of the rising cost of living and create more job opportunities for the people in Kota Iskandar, as many of them were affected by the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) to curb the spread of Covid-19.
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As for Azrol, he pledged to solve every issues facing the Felda residents and wants tointroduce modern agriculture in the Felda areas.
It will be a five-cornered fight for the Kpta Iskandar seat involving Arangkannal, incumbent Dzulkefluy Ahmad from Pakatan Harapan (PH), Pandak Ahmad (Barisan Nasional (BN), Samsudin Ismail (Perikatan Nasional (PN)) and Dr Zaini Abu Bakar (Parti Pejuang Tanah Air -Pejuang).
As for the Bukit Permai, Azrol is in a four-cornered fight with Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor (BN), Tosrin Jarvanthi (PN) and Mokhtar Abdul Wahab (Pejuang).
The Johor state election will be held on Saturday (March 12), involving 239 candidates contesting for 56 state seats.
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