Incumbent Confident of Defending Johor Seat Despite Narrow Previous Victory

Arthur Chiong Sen Sern, the incumbent assemblyman for DUN Bukit Batu, expressed confidence in his ability to defend the seat in the upcoming Johor state election, despite winning by a slim margin of 137 votes previously. He outlined a strategy to mobilize the entire campaign machinery to improve the situation and ensure Bukit Batu remains with the PH coalition, even in a five-cornered contest.

Sen Sern noted that the low voter turnout during the previous state election, attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, contributed to his narrow victory. However, he pointed to an increase in votes for PH in the recent 15th General Election (PRU15) as a positive indicator. "In the past four years, we have worked hard to serve the people of Bukit Batu, and I am confident that PH will win big this time," he told reporters after the nomination process.

He is set to face Barisan Nasional candidate R. K. Kumaran, Parti Ikatan Demokratik Malaysia (Muda) candidate M. Premanand, Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) candidate G. Tamili, and an independent candidate, Datuk Kamaruzaman Ali. Sen Sern remains optimistic about retaining the DUN Bukit Batu seat and contributing it to the PH coalition.

The two-week campaign period is crucial for Sen Sern to ensure the election campaign runs smoothly and effectively. In the last Johor state election, Arthur Chiong won with a slim majority of 137 votes, securing 9,439 votes against S. Suppayah of Barisan Nasional (9,302 votes), Tan Heng Choon of Perikatan Nasional (4,334 votes), and Lee Ming Wen of Parti Warisan (1,053 votes). Sen Sern, who also heads the Kulai PKR branch, aims for a more decisive victory this time.

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In the past four years, we have worked hard to serve the people of Bukit Batu, and I am confident that PH will win big this time.