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Netizens campaign for preferred Johor MB candidates

No one said that Dr Sahruddin Jamal, Mazlan Bujang, Mohd Solihan Badri or Mohd Izhar Ahmad will be the next Johor Mentri Besar. But supporters of at least two frontrunners are shoring up their images on social media anyway – ‘advertising’ them as the apt candidates for the post.

JOHOR BARU: As speculation mounts over who will be the next Johor mentri besar, social media is being used to campaign for certain candidates said to be on the list.

Facebook postings dedicated to the good work done by these candidates have been uploaded to drum up support as soon as Datuk Osman Sapian tendered his resignation on Monday.

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) will be the only Pakatan Harapan component party to name candidates to the Johor Ruler.

According to a source, Bersatu has finalised the list, which consists of four candidates.

State Pakatan secretary Dr Sahruddin Jamal, 44, who is also Johor Health, Environment and Agriculture Committee chairman, is speculated to be the frontrunner for the post.

Public Works, Infrastructure and Transportation Committee chairman Mazlan Bujang, 52, is said to be another strong contender.

Tenang assemblyman Mohd Solihan Badri, 62, who is Johor Bersatu media director, and Larkin assemblyman Mohd Izhar Ahmad, 61, complete the list.

But it appears to be a “straight fight” between Dr Sahruddin and Mazlan on Facebook.

A Facebook page titled NGO Johor claimed that Mazlan is the ideal candidate to replace Osman.

It described Mazlan as a “ronin”, referring to a samurai without a lord or master during Japan’s feudal era.

“Mazlan is clean and knowledgeable, and has integrity and experience in managing Johor,” it said.

It added that Mazlan was also a councillor in the Johor Baru City Council, Iskandar Puteri City Council and Pasir Gudang Municipal Council.

It also described Mazlan as a successful businessman with a no-nonsense approach as a state executive councillor.

When contacted, Mazlan said no individual including himself should lobby for the position as he would adhere to the final selection.

“I have been given the trust to carry such responsibility well and I always place the rakyat’s interest as a priority as they are the ones responsible for choosing us,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Berita Bukit Kepong Facebook page is “campaigning” for Dr Sahruddin, who is Bukit Kepong assemblyman.

It said the people in the Bukit Kepong constituency wanted Dr Sahruddin as the new mentri besar as he is rakyat-friendly.