MUAR: Language is no barrier for a businessman who is banking on his multilingual skills to appeal to voters.

       S. Jeganathan, who is fluent in Bahasa Malaysia, English, Tamil, Mandarin and Hokkien, said the Johor election is his second outing as an independent candidate in Bukit Naning.

       “Growing up, I have many friends from various races, which helped me speak multiple languages with ease.

       “I find my multilingual skills helpful when interacting with people from all walks of life, especially senior citizens who are more comfortable speaking in their mother tongue. With my limited campaigning resources, I have put out a short video clip where I spoke in Mandarin and Hokkien, to gain Chinese support, as I aim to serve all in the community,” he said in an interview.

       The 53-year-old, who supplies hardware and construction materials, said losing his deposit in the 14th General Election with only 364 votes did not break his spirit nor stop him from assisting the less privileged in Bukit Naning.

       Jeganathan, who is also the Bakri Indian Social and Welfare Association chairman, added that he had handed out more than 400 sets of basic food aid to poor families throughout the Covid-19 pandemic alone and tended to several other community welfare issues.

       “Those who I have had assisted urged me to contest again so I decided to give it another try because the people are tired of only seeing their elected representative when an election is near.

       “Though I only have a Form Five education, I hope to be the first independent candidate to enter the Johor State Assembly to represent the people of Bukit Naning,” he said, adding that he drives around in his minivan to canvass residential areas while handing out flyers.

       He is in a five-way fight for the state seat with Md Ysahrudin Kusni from PKR, Datuk Mohd Fuad Tukirin (Barisan Nasional), Mahadzir Abu Said (Perikatan Nasional) and Datuk Ibrahim Shafe’e (Parti Pejuang Tanah Air).