PKR’S Sungai Kandis candidate, Mohd Zawawi Ahmad Mughni, has expressed hope that non-Muslim voters will be “open-minded” and choose him as their elected representative.

“I think my background as an Islamic teacher might create some discomfort among non-Muslims,” he told some 150 voters at the party’s office in Bukit Naga, Shah Alam, last night.

“But, I believe the people of Sungai Kandis are mature and open-minded. Whoever gives us the mandate, we have an obligation to carry out our duties to the best of our abilities, regardless of the colour of their skin or status,” said the ustaz.

Present at the meet-the-people session were Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar and Penanti rep Dr Norlela Ariffin.

Zawawi is headmaster at Maahad Tahfiz Al Fateh, a religious school in Jalan Kebun. He is also secretary of PKR’s religious enhancement and understanding bureau.

The Sungai Kandis seat comprises 72% Malay voters, Indian (16%) and Chinese (12%).

“Prophet Muhammad said the best example of a good person is one who serves and helps others,” said Zawawi.

“This best person may be the youth who arranges slippers at the mosque, or makes kindness the core of his life to improve his community.”

He spoke about his experience with the Muslim Youth Movement of Malaysia, where he took disaffected youths to southern Thailand and Sumatra, Indonesia, to broaden their horizons.

“In Islam, a key concept is to be open and invite people into your life with kindness, and I believe that is the first step towards rebuilding the country, (which has suffered) the effects of racism and prejudice.”

Barisan Nasional is fielding Umno’s Lokman Noor Adam against Zawawi. Independent K. Murthy, a retired civil servant, is also contesting, making it a three-cornered fight for the state seat come August 4.

The seat fell vacant after Mat Shuhaimi Shafiei, a former political secretary to ex-Selangor menteri besar Mohamed Azmin Ali, died of lymphoma on July 2.

On May 9, PKR’s Shuhaimi polled 23,998 votes to win with a 12,480-vote majority. BN’s Kamaruzzaman Johari garnered 11,518 votes, while Yusof Abdullah (PAS) got 7,573.

Parti Rakyat Malaysia’s Hanafiah Husin received a mere 76 of the total of 50,800 votes. – July 24, 2018.