Speaking to FMT, the Simpang Renggam MP noted how he had helped solve the problem of water disruptions and improved the air quality in his parliamentary constituency.
The Layang-Layang and Machap state seats are both under the Simpang Renggam parliamentary constituency.
“I am already their representative in Parliament, where I fight for issues affecting them at the national level. Now, I want to ask for their trust to represent them in the state assembly,” he said.
Maszlee is up against former Layang-Layang assemblyman Ab Mutalip Abd Rahim (Barisan Nasional), contractor K Alagathiran (Perikatan Nasional) and activist Ahmad Shafiq Othaman (Pejuang), in the four-cornered fight for the Layang-Layang seat.
Maszlee said he not only wanted Layang-Layang to be a local tourist attraction but also wished the town would become popular with foreign tourists.
He noted how Kluang is famous for its “Kluang Rail Coffee” — the traditional coffeeshop at the railway station in Kluang, which has been operating since 1938.
Likewise, he hoped that Layang-Layang would become renowned for its “Layang-Layang Rail Coffee”.
“We also cannot overlook heritage spots such as the old train station in Renggam and Layang-Layang,” he said.
Maszlee said he had brought about several changes to Simpang Renggam during his time as MP, including bringing in its first university, the Open University Malaysia (OUM), a community college and even a McDonald’s outlet.
“Even though (former prime minister) Najib Razak made fun of me when I said McDonald’s had arrived in Simpang Renggam, for the area’s youth as well as local businesses and community, it is a big deal,” he said.
The former education minister also said he was working to bring in other franchises such as Starbucks to Simpang Renggam as they could create more jobs and boost the local economy.
Focus on winning Johor elections, not becoming MB
Maszlee also said it was too early to comment on whether he would be nominated as PH’s pick for menteri besar, instead stating that his focus right now was on winning the state elections.
“Whatever responsibilities are given to me, I will take them up to the best of my ability. Our focus is on the rakyat,” he said.
Maszlee was also tight-lipped on the clash between PKR and Muda for the Larkin seat, instead stating that the question of seat negotiations should be resolved by the state PKR leadership and PKR presidential council.
“I’m just an ordinary member,” he said.