Johor Polls: PH Candidate Balancing Politics And PhD In Campaign For Tenang

JOHOR BAHRU, July 1  (Bernama) -- Amid the hectic pace of campaigning for the 16th Johor State Election, Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for Tenang, Elia Nadira Sabudin, is balancing another major commitment -- completing her PhD studies.

The mother of four, who is pursuing a doctorate in Electrical Engineering (Control Systems) at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), said both her academic and political journeys are driven by the same aspiration: building a better future for communities through knowledge, education and human capital development.

The 43-year-old Johor Amanah Women’s Wing vice-chief said her mission extends beyond seeking voter support, as she hopes to use her academic and professional background to narrow the education gap between rural and urban communities.

“I believe my strength lies in education. I want to ensure that children in Tenang are not left behind compared to those in urban areas.

“They deserve equal opportunities, and through education we can empower our children and open doors to better employment prospects,” she said in an interview with Bernama today.

A technology entrepreneur who owns a robotics education company, Elia Nadira also conducts classes for students and teachers using a syllabus aligned with Ministry of Education (MOE) standards.

She said the initiative helps expose students to emerging technology fields such as coding, which has already been introduced in schools around Labis, while creating pathways to develop more local skilled talent.

Beyond education, Elia Nadira said one of the first areas she studied before entering the race was the district’s development plan for northern Johor, particularly efforts to strengthen the local economy through ecotourism.

“When we reviewed the Segamat 2030 Local Plan, the area had already been gazetted as a tourism hub, but that vision has yet to be fully realised.

“That is why one of my main focuses is to position Tenang as a tourism destination,” she said.

According to her, Tenang possesses strong tourism potential that remains underpromoted, particularly in ecotourism, and could benefit significantly from improved connectivity through the Electric Train Service (ETS) station in Labis.

“Tenang has many attractions, but not many people realise this area can be developed as an ecotourism destination. Combined with the presence of the ETS station in Labis, this should stimulate the local economy more aggressively,” she added.

Elia Nadira, who previously contested the Bukit Pasir state seat, will face candidates with prior electoral experience, including a former assemblyman, in the contest for the Tenang seat.

However, she said her opponents’ experience does not discourage her but instead motivates her to present a fresher and more people-centred political approach.

“At the Barisan Nasional level, they are fielding a candidate who has previously served as an assemblyman, and I do not see that as a major issue.

“They have done what they believed was necessary, and today I am stepping forward with the intention of doing better,” she said.

Elia Nadira also described the campaign atmosphere as healthy and reflective of a mature democratic process, noting that candidates from different parties had been able to engage professionally and respectfully.

“We remain courteous to voters, and they have welcomed us positively. We have also met our opponents several times...we can sit together, have drinks and take photographs. There is no issue,” she said.

In the 16th Johor PRN, Elia Nadira will face Barisan Nasional candidate Mohd Azahar Ibrahim, Perikatan Nasional’s Normala Sudirman and Independent candidate Siti Aisyah Zobir in a four-cornered contest.

A total of 172 candidates are contesting 56 seats in the Johor election, with polling day scheduled for July 11 and early voting on July 7.

For the latest updates on the 16th Johor PRN, visit the official election portal https://prn.bernama.com/johor/. 

-- BERNAMA

N05: TENANG - 22,616 pengundi

1. Siti Aisyah Zobir (Bebas/IND)

2. Normala Sudirman (PN-PAS)

3. Elia Nadira Sabudin (PH-Amanah)

4. Mohd Azahar Ibrahim (BN-UMNO)

(2022: Haslinda Salleh: BN-UMNO: Maj:1,736)