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KUALA LUMPUR – Local government elections and querying on enforced disappearances in the Dewan Rakyat are among key agendas for Gerak Independent candidate K.J. John.
In a statement today, the Petaling Jaya parliamentary candidate who released his manifesto said that he aims to be a voice for constituents, rather than any party or its symbol.
“You never vote a party into Parliament; it is always one good character individual who is a citizen that you vote into Parliament.
“The parties only become a symbol for voting or logo for voting, but they never actually represent you in Parliament. Do they?”
Among the three serious concerns he aims to address in Parliament include the enforced disappearances of Raymond Koh, Amri Che Mat, Joshua Hilmy, and Ruth Sitepu
“This is my first and primary concern as a firm supporter of Citizens Against Enforced Disappearances, or CAGED.
“My question is why, what, and how are there so many missing persons, and why do police not have and give answers?
“Even Suhakam did a study, but we are no better with an answer. What really happened to Altantuya Shaariibuugiin? What happened to Raymond Koh, Amri Che Mat, Joshua Hilmy and Ruth Sitepu? Whose agenda were they victims of?
“Today, I am not sure even if any of the MPs know. Truths do matter to me, and I want to find answers to each of them.”
Without elaborating further, John said the recommendation for local council elections had been published by Parliament through the Senator Athi Nahappan Report, which never saw the light of day due to the May 13, 1969 incident.
“We must execute that now, and I have some very specific ideas on how to do it. I want to get it done,” he said.
Additionally, John also addressed the issue of corruption and intends to utilise 33 years of his experience in the civil service to fight it from within.
“After 41 years, why do we even need approved permits (APs) today? Whom does it serve?
“Do APs not increase the costs of doing business when we are already a fairly free and open market? Who makes those billions? Or is it trillions?” he asked.
John is set to contest the Petaling Jaya seat in a six-cornered fight against MCA’s Chew Hian Tat; PKR’s Lee Chean Chung, who was a two-term assemblyman for Semambu, Pahang; Parti Rakyat Malaysia’s Datuk Ezam Mohd Nor, and Pejuang’s Mazween Mokhtar, along with Bersatu’s Datuk Theng Book. – The Vibes, November 9, 2022