Johor bahru: The principle of being a "bridge to the people's concerns" has been the guiding principle of incumbent Kota Iskandar state assemblyman Datuk Pandak Ahmad in carrying out his mandate as a representative of the people with an approach of listening, understanding, and solving the problems of the residents.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Pandak, who is also the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the seat in the Johor state election, said that this guiding principle has motivated him to continue the initiatives implemented throughout the last term, with priority given to resolving issues across all levels of society. He emphasized the importance of this principle in maintaining trust and accountability as a public servant.
Among the achievements he described as major successes are the construction of 12,000 units of affordable housing under the Johor People's Housing Programme, the construction of a new mosque in Pulai Emas, and the establishment of the Tunku Mohkota Ismail Youth Centre (TMIYC). Efforts to improve the administrative system with the Iskandar Puteri City Council (MBIP) have also been significant, particularly in expediting the licensing process for small traders.
Pandak highlighted the recovery of nine acres of land previously owned by the private sector to be developed as a commercial fishing hub. The transformation of Kampung Sungai Melayu into a tourist destination has also significantly impacted the local community, with infrastructure development worth almost RM22 million and increasing visitor numbers.
Addressing ongoing issues, Pandak acknowledged the traffic congestion resulting from rapid housing development. Several measures, including upgrading traffic lights to a smart system and constructing new flyovers and an elevated interchange, are planned to alleviate congestion.
Looking ahead, Pandak plans to prioritize education and the construction of affordable housing units if re-elected. He also sees potential in developing Pendas as a new tourism destination by combining fishing and ecotourism activities to enhance residents' income.
In the Johor polls campaign, Pandak is focusing on face-to-face interactions while leveraging social media platforms to engage young voters. The Kota Iskandar state constituency is witnessing a four-cornered contest in the upcoming election, with polling day set for July 11 and early voting on July 7.