JOHOR BAHRU, June 30 — Being a true native of Skudai gives Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate J. Kartiyaini a distinct edge in the state constituency race, as she knows the local heartbeat, especially when it comes to the needs of senior citizens.
The 37-year-old lawyer says growing up in Taman Sri Skudai has deeply shaped her vision: to ensure that infrastructure development in the area builds a community that is genuinely more elderly-friendly and family-oriented.
“I still live in Skudai, and my parents are still here too. That’s why I often ask myself, when we build new facilities, are we really thinking about their needs?
“When we upgrade housing areas, are we putting them first? I want to see Skudai become a place that truly welcomes and supports its elderly residents,” she told Bernama.
As the eldest of two siblings, she pointed out that nearly 30 per cent of Skudai’s population, about 31,722 people, are now aged 55 and above. That statistic, she says, makes it all the more urgent to provide more public amenities and programmes tailored specifically to their needs.
A law graduate from Universiti Malaya, Kartiyaini says her top priority is to take a holistic look at public facilities, starting with upgrading bus stops to make them more comfortable and accessible for everyone.
Beyond infrastructure, she also aims to roll out more weekly activities to keep senior citizens active and living purposefully long after retirement.
Affectionately known as “Karti” among locals, she wants to expand community programmes like carnivals and leisure spaces near residential areas, not just for fun, but to bring families closer together.
“It’s not only about strengthening community ties. It also helps parents provide meaningful activities for their children during free time and school holidays, without having to rely purely on shopping malls as the go-to recreational spot,” she explained.
Although the Skudai state seat is traditionally a Pakatan Harapan stronghold, Kartiyaini acknowledges that today’s political landscape demands that elected representatives consistently deliver strong performance to maintain voter trust.
Drawing from her experience serving at the Perling State Assembly office and as political secretary to the Buntong assemblyman in Perak from 2022 to 2024, Kartiyaini is confident in her ability to deliver more effective service to the people of Skudai.
She intends to continue the grassroots, walk-about approach and provide cross-community services that have long been the bedrock of PH’s strength, while also introducing a more structured complaint management system to ensure every issue is tracked and followed through to resolution.
The Skudai seat, which has 106,805 registered voters, sees Kartiyaini facing a four-cornered fight against Tan Hiang Kee from Barisan Nasional (BN), Eugene Chua Meng Chong from Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama), and Amir Syafiq Ameer Soekre from the Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM).
The Johor state election features 172 candidates vying for 56 state assembly seats, with polling day set for July 11 and early voting on July 7.
For the latest updates on the 16th Johor state election, visit https://prn.bernama.com/johor.
N48: Skudai: 106,805
1. Tan Hiang Kee (BN-MCA)
2. Kartiyaini Jeyapalan (PH-DAP)
3. Eugene Chua Meng Chong (Bersama)
4. Amir Syafiq Ameer Soekre (PSM)
(2022: Marina Ibrahim: PH-DAP: Maj: 13,943) — Bernama
Date: 30 June, 2026 2:00 pm
Source: Malay Mail
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