Ayna Soraya Badaruddin

Summary

Ayna Soraya Badaruddin is a 31-year-old maritime engineer and PKR's deputy chief of Srikandi PKR, fielded as Pakatan Harapan's candidate for N.16 Sungai Balang in the 16th Johor state election on 11 July 2026. A University of Southampton graduate who previously worked in the oil and gas and shipping sectors, she is campaigning on fishery infrastructure, women's empowerment, and youth economic opportunities. She faces a three-cornered contest against BN-UMNO incumbent Selamat Takim and PN-PAS's Muhammad Amin Sailan in a seat BN held in 2022 with a 2,293-vote majority.

Biography

Ayna Soraya Badaruddin is a 31-year-old maritime engineer and PKR politician contesting the N.16 Sungai Balang state seat in the 16th Johor state election, scheduled for 11 July 2026 [1]. A graduate of the University of Southampton in maritime engineering [1], she previously worked in the shipping and oil and gas industry before entering politics, earning the informal moniker 'akak kapal' — loosely, 'ship lady' [1]. Within PKR, she serves as deputy chief of Srikandi PKR, the party's young women's wing [1]. She was announced as Pakatan Harapan's candidate for Sungai Balang on 22 June 2026 by PH chairman and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, as part of the coalition's 56-candidate slate for the Johor polls [2]. Malay Mail identified her among several women newcomers in PH's lineup [3]. The Sungai Balang constituency (N.16) falls under the Muar parliamentary seat, with approximately 73% Malay and 25% Chinese voters and 31,039 registered voters [4]. She faces a three-cornered contest against BN-UMNO's Selamat Takim — who held the seat in 2022 with a 2,293-vote majority — and PN-PAS's Muhammad Amin Sailan [5]. No prior elected office has been identified in public records.

Known for

Ayna Soraya Badaruddin is known for her maritime engineering background and her prior career in the oil and gas and shipping industries, which she is applying to campaign proposals focused on fishery development for Sungai Balang's coastal communities [1]. She is also identified as deputy chief of PKR's Srikandi young women's wing and as a first-time state election candidate among PH's women newcomers in the 2026 Johor polls [6].

Political positions

Ayna Soraya Badaruddin has focused her campaign on several areas. On economic development, she has proposed improving fishery infrastructure — including jetty renovations, boat-landing facilities and modern technology — at coastal areas such as Parit Jawa and Pantai Leka, arguing this would raise fishermen's catches, lower operational costs and open new livelihoods [1]. On social welfare, she has stated her intention to empower women and single mothers in Sungai Balang through skills training, targeted assistance and income-generating opportunities [1]. On youth, she has prioritised expanded employment, education, TVET, and digital economy support to reduce youth out-migration from the constituency [1]. She has also flagged inadequate internet connectivity in parts of Sungai Balang as a concern she has raised with the Communications Minister [1].

Education

1. Pre-2026Graduated from the University of Southampton with a qualification in maritime engineering.⛓

Before politics

1. Pre-2026Worked in the shipping and oil and gas sectors before entering politics, earning the informal moniker 'akak kapal'.⛓

Political career

1. Pre-2026Appointed deputy chief (Timbalan Ketua) of Srikandi PKR, PKR's young women's wing.⛓
2. 22 June 2026Named by PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as Pakatan Harapan's candidate for N.16 Sungai Balang in the 16th Johor state election.⛓
3. 27 June 2026Nomination day confirmed: contesting N.16 Sungai Balang in a three-cornered fight against BN-UMNO incumbent Selamat Takim and PN-PAS's Muhammad Amin Sailan; polling day set for 11 July 2026.⛓

Perspectives on key issues

• GovernmentPH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced Ayna Soraya as part of a candidate slate combining experienced leaders and new faces, with all 56 PH candidates described as Johoreans who understand local needs. She was specifically highlighted among several women newcomers in the coalition's lineup.⛓
• VerifiedFactsThe Sungai Balang seat (N.16) was won by BN-UMNO's Selamat Takim in the 2022 Johor state election with a majority of 2,293 votes. The constituency has 31,039 registered voters, is approximately 73% Malay and 25% Chinese, and falls under the Muar parliamentary seat.⛓
• ExpertThe Edge Malaysia reported that in the 2022 Johor state election, Sungai Balang was among seats where Perikatan Nasional had the second-highest vote share, indicating a competitive multi-party environment in which vote-splitting is a material factor.⛓