Kuala lumpur: The resilience and staunch principles of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's struggle served as the main 'tonic' to inspire Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Danish Hossman Abd Rahman to enter politics at the young age of 23. Contesting the Johor Lama State Legislative Assembly (DUN) seat in the 16th Johor State Election (PRN), Danish Hossman, who is the youngest candidate, described the PH Chairman as his political 'compass' - one who has remained steadfast in championing the welfare of the people despite facing various storms of trials.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Danish Hossman expressed admiration for Anwar's dedication to fighting for the rights of the people, even at the cost of personal hardships. "To be honest, I only have one idol in this political arena, Datuk Seri Anwar. We look at his political career from the very beginning; it has always been about fighting for the rights of the people, even to the point of being dismissed from office and imprisoned," he said in an exclusive interview.
The Master of Information Technology student from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) shared that his political interest is deeply rooted in his family background, which has been involved in politics since his school days. Danish Hossman noted that his grandfather and father held significant political positions, which influenced his decision to join the political arena.
Danish Hossman, who serves as the Pontian PKR Branch Secretary and a Johor Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) Exco Member, emphasized that his political ambitions are driven by a desire to serve the people rather than seek fame or positions. Having been actively involved in various non-governmental organisations (NGOs) at the state level, he has developed his leadership skills and commitment to community work.
Addressing skepticism about his young age, Danish Hossman sees it as an advantage, allowing him to introduce new and inclusive perspectives. "We can offer fresh ideas, and we can draw on long-standing experiences, but whatever the case, our main goal is to be a State Assemblyman who works and listens to the people's issues. That is what matters," he stated.
Facing a three-cornered contest for the Johor Lama seat against incumbent Norlizah Noh from Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Aisah Esa, Danish Hossman remains confident. He believes that voters' access to information through technological advancements will enable them to make informed decisions. "It is the internet era now; they can look up information on their own and see developments on the outside for themselves. They can judge what is good and what is not," he remarked.
The Johor State Election is set for July 11, with early voting scheduled for July 7. Danish Hossman remains hopeful for a favorable outcome for Pakatan Harapan, pledging to engage with voters and address their concerns directly.