Rival candidates share friendly exchange at night market

PONTIAN: A chance encounter between four Johor state election candidates from opposing coalitions turned heads as they greeted visitors during their walkabouts at the Taman Megah night market here.

The three Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidates were Haniff @ Ghazali Hosman (Pulai Sebatang), Abd Razak Ismail (Benut), and Cheah Chee Hong (Kukup), who were campaigning together when they met Pulai Sebatang candidate from Barisan Nasional (BN) Hasrunizah Hassan, who was also campaigning at the same location.

What initially appeared to be a slightly awkward moment as two teams carrying “red” and “blue” flags met at a junction soon turned into a friendly exchange as the candidates greeted one another.

The encounter also drew the attention of night market visitors, who paused briefly to watch the four candidates from opposing political coalitions meet at the same spot before continuing to engage with traders and visitors.

When met by the media, Haniff said the encounter with his opponent was part of a healthy democratic process.

“We are campaigning peacefully. We had the chance to meet the opposing candidate (Hasrunizah), and we are all friends.

“In Pontian, the campaign period is peaceful and free from any disturbances,” he said.

PH Kukup candidate Cheah said he was honoured to campaign alongside his coalition colleagues, and urged voters in Pulai Sebatang, Benut and Kukup to continue supporting PH.

Meanwhile, Hasrunizah said such encounters between candidates from different parties during campaigning were normal, reflecting the maturity of democracy in Johor.

She said although the campaign period is heating up, the situation in Johor remains under control without any untoward incidents.

“Encounters are not an issue for us. In fact, they further boost our spirit to campaign harder for Barisan Nasional,” she said.