JOHOR BARU, Nov 12 — Lawyer friends Mohamad Isa Mohamad Basir and Jimmy Puah Wee Tse used to handle cases together, but now they are up against one another to win the hearts of voters in the Tebrau parliamentary constituency.

Despite having different political views, Mohamad Isa, who is representing Perikatan Nasional (PN), and Jimmy Puah of Pakatan Harapan (PH) remain professional and friendly in their struggle to secure victory in the 15th general election (GE15).

Describing the clash with his old friend as a ‘gentlemen’s fight’, Jimmy Puah, who is also Johor PKR deputy chairman, leaves it to the people of Tebrau to decide which representative they want.

“Isa is an old friend because we used to be in the PH Legal Bureau team. I have known him for a long time, so I wish him all the best.

“We are in a gentlemen’s fight, and I have never attacked him personally. I respect him as a lawyer; we are professionals and have no problem. For me, we have our own vision and offers for voters in Tebrau. It is up to them to decide,” he told Bernama when met recently.

Jimmy Puah, who is also the former state International Trade, Investment and Utilities Committee chairman, is of the opinion that Tebrau is not a safe seat for PKR in Johor due to various factors but will go all out to capture the seat.

“We must admit that now we are facing a challenge where voters are tired and have a low opinion of politicians. Also, young voters may not be interested in voting, and there may also be voters who have had enough of political instability in Malaysia. So, it is a challenge to convince them to vote,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mohamad Isa said he had no problem confronting the old friend he had known since 2005 upon returning to Johor to start a career in the legal field.

“We are colleagues in the legal field and even handled cases together, so there is no problem. But I did not expect to face him, and neither did he,” said the former Johor Bahru City Council member, who is making a debut in GE15.

“Insya-Allah, I believe I can achieve victory, but I consider myself an underdog. From the feedback I received, many people know Mohamad Isa but are unfamiliar with my face.

“So I hope when I go out to meet the Tebrau residents and put up posters and billboards, they will be able to vote for me because I am a Tebrau native and know what the people want,” he said.

Jimmy Puah and Mohamad Isa are in a three-way clash with Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Nicole Wong Siaw Ting to win the Tebrau parliamentary seat. — Bernama