JOHOR BARU: The Johor polls may mark the electoral debut of Barisan Nasional’s candidate for Skudai, Lim Soon Hai, but he is no stranger to the people in the state constituency.Besides his years of service as a councillor with the Iskandar Puteri City Council, Skudai is also where he chose to start his family and business.

       “I have been living in Skudai since 1985. This is where I started my family and my business, and where my children grew up.

       “I understand very well what the people need and want from their government.

       “As a councillor with the Iskandar Puteri City Council for three terms since 2014, a crucial part of my job was to meet the people and listen to their woes,” said the engineering graduate from National Taiwan University.

       Lim, who is also Iskandar Puteri MCA deputy division chief, said he is unperturbed about being a first-time candidate.

       “My experience with the people of Skudai goes beyond the election. Even during my campaign, I see that many people already know me as I have been very active during my time as councillor,” he said.

       The 54-year-old businessman and father of three said he wants to give the people of Skudai a sense of stability as well as offer them more development.

       “We need to bring Johor back to its economic glory days and regain the trust of foreign investors.

       “To me, that is paramount, given the situation we are right now where many have lost their livelihood.

       “It is not going to be an easy task, especially as there are about 170,000 people living in the Skudai area, but I will do my very best,” he added.

       Among the local issues Lim wants to tackle is improving the drainage system to overcome flash floods.

       “The reopening of the border is another important issue for the people of Skudai and I hope that I can push for this if I become their assemblyman,” he said.

       Lim is up against Pakatan Harapan’s Marina Ibrahim and Perikatan Nasional’s Khoo Khong Ek in a three-cornered fight.