JOHOR BAHRU: There must be an effective Opposition bloc in the state assembly to ensure the issues of regular Johoreans can be solved by the government-of-the-day, said Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) candidate for Johor Jaya Victor Chen Hain Kai.

       Chen said this is why he chose Warisan as a party, rather than joining the ruling coalition.

       "I would also like to stress the importance of an effective opposition in the system for check and balance to help the people to voice and make sure the government does its job effectively to solve all issues and serve the people.

       "Therefore, instead of joining the government component party, I prefer to fight for the people through Warisan because I believe Warisan can be an effective opposition for now since its leaders never sign any MOU with the government."

       Chen also said Warisan's decision to contest six seats in the state election reflects confidence of the Sabah-based party in being an effective Opposition.

       "We are confident that we can be very effective in policing the government and give Johoreans a sense of belonging by helping them to voice out at the state levels," added Chen.

       Meanwhile, Chen said that Barisan Nasional should have immediate solutions to issues that regular Johoreans face.

       "Johoreans are already facing problems such as price hike of essential goods, increased costs of doing business, huge number of job loss, and social issues due to closure of Johor-Singapore border.

       Warisan was a friendly party with Pakatan. However, Warisan's relations with Pakatan was questioned by observers after the Sabah-based party joined the Johor state election.

       Warisan was contesting six seats in the Johor state election - Bekok (Sandara Segaran Arumugam), Pekan Nanas (Hishamuddin Busri), Mahkota (Mohamed Noor Suleiman), Bukit Batu (Lee Ming Wen), Johor Jaya (Chen) and Permas (Mohamed Ridza Bush).

       DAP and Warisan would clash in Pekan Nanas, Bekok and Johor Jaya state seats.

       Meanwhile, Warisan would clash with Amanah at Mahkota and Permas, and with PKR at Bukit Batu.

       The Johor state election has a 14-day campaigning period and polling was on March 12.