YONG PENG: Kelly Chye, who is one of Barisan Nasional’s youngest candidates in the Johor election, has clear views on how to revive the economy in Mengkibol if she is elected as assemblyman. Chye, who has been a practising lawyer in Kluang since 2020, said her priority was Mengkibol’s economic well-being and attracting new investments to the town.

       She proposed the development of a new industrial park in Mengkibol.

       “That will bring in more jobs and economic opportunities for the people,” said Chye, 27.

       She said economic activities in Mengkibol had stalled over the past few years, adding that there had been an outflow of local talent.

       “It’s very sad. We have not been able to retain local talent. Most of them have to find jobs in other places such as Johor Baru, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore,” she said in an interview.

       Chye said there were many ongoing land issues concerning new villages and places of worship in Mengkibol that had not been addressed in the last nine years.

       “This is unfair to the people and devotees,” she added.

       Chye also stressed the importance of female participation in politics to promote gender equality and women’s rights.

       “I hope my fellow female candidates will do their best in this state election and promote women’s rights in the community,” she said.

       Mengkibol is locked in a three-cornered fight between Chye, Perikatan Nasional’s Wong Chan Giap and Pakatan Harapan’s Chew Chong Sin. In the 14th general election, Chew won with a 19,226 majority in Mengkibol.