Eight candidates have big shoes to fill at upcoming polls
GEORGE TOWN: Their fathers are big names in the political arena who are staying out of the ring in the upcoming six state elections. Now, six sons and two daughters are joining the race as first-time candidates
In Penang, Phee Syn Tze, 38, is attempting to retain Sungai Puyu for Pakatan Harapan, taking over from her dad Boon Poh, 71.
Boon Poh, a five-term assemblyman, had contested in the state elections seven times since 1990.
In 2008, Syn Tze took unpaid leave from her job in New Zealand and returned to help her father campaign in Sungai Puyu.
“I was 23 then and all that mattered to me was to make sure my dad had enough food, drink and rest while campaigning. I followed him everywhere,” she recalled.
She went back to New Zealand after that election because of work commitments but shortly after, her father called.
The then Pakatan Rakyat coalition had won the state, Boon Poh was made a state executive councillor and had to relinquish his position in the family business.
“So I resigned and left the life I was building in New Zealand to help in the family business,” Syn Tze said.
In Penang, she found herself having to act as her father’s “after-office hours personal assistant”.
Boon Poh had to attend many events and meetings late into the night, but preferred to let his driver and personal assistants off in the evening – leaving Syn Tze to take over.
“I am not a new face in my father’s constituency because, after decisions were made, I did the tonnes of paperwork that followed. I have handled all the nitty-gritty with our community members,” she added.
In the adjacent Telok Ayer Tawar constituency in Tasek Gelugor, Pakatan’s Abdul Mohsein Mohd Shariff, 44, is also prepared to follow in the footsteps of his father Datuk Seri Shariff Omar.
Shariff, a former Umno strongman and deputy federal minister, was Tasek Gelugor MP for three terms.
Abdul Mohsein said he felt comfortable being on the ground, having also followed his father on the campaign trial.
“I hold positions in various committees. So far, the people have been very welcoming and accepting of me,” he said.
“We need a strong representative here. Previously, we had big names from this area like former prime minister Tun Dr Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
“Our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is also from nearby Permatang Pauh. We need more local leaders to champion our causes,” said Abdul Mohsein.
Perikatan Nasional also has a chip off the old block in its Seberang Jaya candidate Izhar Shah Arif Shah, 30, from Bersatu.
He is the son of former assemblyman Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah, who held the seat from 2004 to 2013 under Barisan Nasional.
Izhar Shah said his father had set a high benchmark for him.
“Fortunately, I gained experience by being part of his team from an early age,” said the director at his own law firm.
He was also a special officer to former Seberang Jaya assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin, who is contesting as a Bersatu candidate in Taman Medan in Selangor.
In Telok Bahang on the island, Ahmad Zaki Shah Shah Headan, 34, from Umno, is fighting to regain the seat after his father Datuk Shah Headan Ayoob Hussain Shah lost it in the 2018 general election by just 425 votes.
Ahmad Zaki Shah is the Balik Pulau Umno Youth chief and has been with Barisan for 10 years.
“I want to continue what was halted when my father lost in 2018. He had a few plans, including on low-cost housing,” he said.
High on Ahmad Zaki Shah’s list are tourism projects, including extending the Batu Ferringhi night market attraction.
“Now, with Barisan uniting with Pakatan, they (Pakatan) have been helpful and genuinely want to help us win. It will be good to have the state aligned with the Federal Government.
“More can be done for the area because for the past 15 years, Telok Bahang has been an Opposition seat,” he said.
Over in Kedah, the current Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul has another son making his electoral debut.
Mohammed Firdaus Johari, 39, will be hoping to capture the Gurun state seat that was held by his dad, who resigned as the assemblyman after he was appointed Dewan Rakyat speaker.The former Kedah PKR youth chief is standing against football ace Baddrol Bakhtiar, representing Perikatan-PAS.
Mohammed Firdaus, who is the older brother of current Sungai Petani MP Dr Mohammed Taufiq, is banking on his experience serving the people of Gurun alongside his father.
“I’ve been working behind the scenes here for about eight years, supporting my father and other leaders.
“I hope to be given the opportunity to carry out the responsibility entrusted to me,” he said.
In Negri Sembilan, Mohd Najib Mohd Isa, 44, a son of former mentri besar Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad is running in Bagan Pinang as a Barisan candidate from Umno.
During a campaigning round, Mohd Najib dismissed suggestions that he was leveraging his father’s name to secure votes.
“I am confident that we have fought for the voters and enlightened them on state matters. My manifesto is primarily based on collecting data and feedback from the people to ensure that it aligns with their needs and wishes,” he said, adding that he would focus on grassroots initiatives.
“I will not take advantage of my father’s popularity to win votes.”
Meanwhile, Danni Rais, the 36-year-old lawyer son of former Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Rais Yatim, is also making his political debut in Klawang.
The Negri Sembilan Perikatan Youth chief is facing off against the incumbent Datuk Bakri Sawir, of Amanah, who also happens to be his first cousin.
Klawang is one of four state seats under the Jelebu parliamentary constituency, of which Rais was the MP for several terms.
In Selangor, Nurul Syazwani Noh, 35, the daughter of former Umno strongman and ex-MP of Tanjong Karang Tan Sri Noh Omar, is hoping to capture the Permatang seat as a Perikatan candidate from Bersatu.
