Valuable lessons learnt for Independent candidates

KLUANG: Independent candidates in this general election have valuable lessons during their two weeks of campaigning, with some political parties even trying to woo them.

First-time candidate U. Ramendran, 52, said it had been an eye-opening experience and worth the money he spent.

“Some political parties have courted me, but I will continue to be an Independent so that nobody stops me from speaking my mind.

“I do not need to toe the party line or hurt anyone within a coalition,” he said, adding that he had no regrets in coughing up the RM20,000 nomination fee.

Vying for the semi-rural seat of Kluang, Ramendran said being the only candidate of Indian descent among the five Independents from Johor had not been easy either.

“Yes, some have snubbed me, some friends have not answered my calls, and I was asked to take down my posters.

“But people now know me and what I stand for,” he said, adding that he would continue to serve in the constituency even if he did not win.

The engineer, who is using the car symbol, said some people were even surprised as he spoke in Bahasa Malaysia on the campaign trail.

“All my letters and correspondence to government agencies have always been in Bahasa Malaysia.

“I am sad that after so many years in schools, some young people here do not even understand Malay or English,” he said, adding that he would not mind contesting again in future.

For former banker Zainal Bahrom A. Kadir, 65, who is contesting in

Ledang, this would be his last attempt in trying to win the seat as a non-partisan candidate.

“People remember me as a candidate who lost in the state elections in March, but I have still been helping people in the constituency.

“That is why I chose the symbol of a tree as it provides shelter,” he said, adding that voters should choose someone without any vested interest in running.

Zainal Bahrom, who lost his deposit after garnering just 121 votes in the state polls in March, said this time, he received contributions from the public to help him raise the RM20,000 needed to contest in GE15.

He stressed that he had no regrets contesting and hopes the next MP would listen to the people and help.

Trying their best: (left) ramendran chatting on his campaign trail in Kluang, while Zainal bahrom says this is his last attempt in Ledang.