JOHOR BARU: From a “grandpa” to the youngest two mid-20s contestants, these candidates of the Johor election say that age is not a factor in their ability to perform as a people’s representative.

       Being the oldest among the 239 fighting for 56 seats in these polls, former state religious affairs committee chairman Tosrin Jarvanthi has been dubbed “the grandpa”.

       The 71-year-old, who has kept a low profile since nomination day on Saturday, finally came out to say he would continue to campaign for Perikatan Nasional despite being unwell earlier.

       “I am doing just fine and will start visiting my constituency on Tuesday (today),” he said when asked about his health yesterday.

       The Kulai Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) division chief said he hopes voters in Bukit Permai will give him a chance to go on serving them as he defends the seat.

       “My age is not really an issue. The most important thing is to be able to do the work.

       “I hope that my record of serving the people as an assemblyman and as a state executive councillor helps me in getting their support,” he said.

       Tosrin was Umno’s Sedili assemblyman between 1986 and 1990.

       He later served as a special officer to Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin when the latter was the deputy prime minister, also with Umno then.

       The former prime minister is currently the Bersatu president and Perikatan chairman.

       In GE14, Tosrin won the Bukit Permai seat on the Pakatan Harapan ticket.

       At 45 years younger are MCA’s Kelly Chye Pei Yee, who is standing in Mengkibol, and the Parti Pejuang Tanah Air candidate for Tangkak, Muhammad Airel Zabrihin.

       Both are 26 and the youngest in the crowded field.

       Pei Yee said that while it is challenging to face a three-cornered fight against more experienced politicians, she is thankful for the support and guidance from senior party members from MCA and Umno.

       “I will have to work harder in my campaign to woo voters of all ages, but I am ready for the challenge,” she said.

       Pei Yee said she became involved in politics during the general election in 2013 when she assisted in campaigning for the then Mengkibol candidate, Chye Kwee Yeow, who is her uncle.

       Muhammad Airel, meanwhile, said it will be a challenge for him to get votes from the older generation, especially those who have been long-time supporters of other parties.

       “It will not be easy for me to get their votes.

       “Some may even think that I am too young or inexperienced to be their assemblyman.

       “It is up to me to show them that I am not only capable but can offer them better service than the other candidates,” he said.

       Muhammad Airel added that his youth may not guarantee him votes from young voters.

       “I also have to work hard to gain their trust,” he said.

       Apart from these oldest and youngest candidates, the Election Commission has noted that only eight out of the 239 are below 30 years old while 43 are aged 60 and above.