Expressing himself online was never for him, preferring to limit his views to a small circle of friends.
However, he now feels the need for an online voice as he readies himself to enter the general election. It will be an arena which he and his neighbours feel compelled to enter, as they grow increasingly frustrated with both the government and opposition.
The discontent has been simmering for some time.
For Johan and his group of friends, political parties with their respective ideologies don’t seem to be working, especially in Klang, where he lives.
The constituency is currently under Pakatan Harapan, but prior to 2008 was under Barisan Nasional. Both coalitions, Johan claims, failed to address what the people wanted.
Johan and his friends decided to initiate a movement to serve as an alternative to both PH and BN. “We would be a third force, one that would actually represent the people. We want to focus on actual reform without being tied to any political affiliation or rhetoric,” the father-of-three told FMT.
His friends chose him to be the face of this movement, one that would see him contest as an independent.
Johan has become the latest of those attempting to throw a spanner in the works of mainstream politics.
Last month, FMT reported about “Pangkah Burung”, a movement that aims to disrupt the country’s political scene and course-correct democracy by pushing more independents to contest general elections.
On Aug 31, blogger Syed Akbar Ali kickstarted a campaign for voters in the same households to split their ballots and push for a minority government.
For Johan, having more independents contest in the next polls is very important, adding that “history repeats itself” when it comes to elected representatives under a political banner.
Those attached to a party, the management consultant said, tended to toe the party line.
“So, they either remain silent or are silenced.”
Independents, he believes, will be more mission-oriented. They are also the way forward, he insists, adding that non-partisan democracy is the “future”.
Johan also believes he isn’t alone. He has come across like-minded individuals who are either keen on standing as independents or will back independents in the next polls.
“They are scattered all over Malaysia. If one conducted a poll, more and more will come out to state their support for Independents.”