KLUANG: Local boy Lee Ting Han has a lot of plans for Paloh to make it vibrant and attractive for youths, including job creations and having more housing developments.

       The 32-year-old lawyer, whose family house is in Kampung Chamek in Paloh, said there are many ''aging'' families in the state constituency.

       ''Many of the younger generation from families here opted to go elsewhere, mostly to more urban places such as Johor Baru, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore for better prospects.

       ''Most of those who are still around are usually oil palm smallholders and aged parents.

       ''There has been very little development here throughout the years,'' he said here on Wednesday (March 2).

       The Barisan Nasional candidate said it was important to first simulate the local economy.

       ''For example, Paloh is a good place to offer agro-tourism and eco-tourism products and services.

       ''Such a method has worked in other places in Selangor and Perak.

       ''I want to find ways to diversify the economy here,'' said Lee.

       If a solution can be offered to stimulate the local economy and create more jobs, he said this will also convince fence-sitters to support Barisan.

       Lee, who is well-versed in English, Malay and Chinese, said he was thankful for the Barisan election machinery in the Sembrong parliamentary constituency that has been instrumental in supporting his election campaign, as Paloh is one of the state seats under Sembrong.

       ''On the Barisan spirit and the One Malaysia model, Sembrong MP Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and his team walk the talk.

       ''I will do my best to prove to the Barisan grassroots and deliver.

       ''I'm thankful to have them with me while campaigning in the Malay areas,'' he said, adding that the Malays make up 47% of the total voters in Paloh, with 37% Chinese, 15% Indian and 1% Orang Asli.

       Lee also thanked the Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim for granting an audience to him on Monday (Feb 28), saying the prince is very concerned about youth issues and the upcoming state election.

       Tunku Ismail shared with Lee his vision of a better Johor that is multiracial and multireligious.

       ''He also expressed his views for a better quality of education and healthcare system, including job opportunities for the youth in Johor.

       “I will certainly take heed of the Crown Prince's advice to continue working hard for the welfare and wellbeing of the people of Johor,” he said.

       Lee is in a four-cornered fight in Paloh, going against incumbent Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali from Pakatan Harapan, V. Selvendran from Perikatan Nasional and Aminuddin Johari from Pejuang.