Rashifa Aljunied

Summary

Rashifa Aljunied, 26, is a first-time political candidate standing for Muda in the Puteri Wangsa state seat at the 16th Johor state election on July 11, 2026. She previously served as chief officer of the Puteri Wangsa service centre and chief of staff to Muda president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz, and holds a degree in International and Strategic Studies from Universiti Malaya. She was selected to defend the seat after Amira Aisya vacated it to contest a parliamentary constituency in the upcoming general election.

Biography

Rashifa Aljunied, 26, is a first-time candidate fielded by the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) for the Puteri Wangsa state seat in the 16th Johor state election, scheduled for July 11, 2026 [1]. She holds a Bachelor's degree in International and Strategic Studies from Universiti Malaya [1]. Prior to her candidacy, she served as chief officer of the Puteri Wangsa State Constituency Service Centre and as chief of staff to Muda president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz [2]. She is also a member of Muda's Central Executive Committee and serves as programme director for the Teroka project, an initiative designed to train young people aged between 18 and 25 in advocacy and politics [1]. Rashifa has been involved in community programmes in Puteri Wangsa for approximately four years [2]. Muda president Amira Aisya, who held the seat since 2022, vacated it to contest a parliamentary seat in the 16th general election, with Rashifa named as her successor candidate [1]. Puteri Wangsa, which falls under the Tebrau parliamentary constituency, has more than 128,000 registered voters and a population of approximately 272,000, making it one of Johor's largest state constituencies [1][3]. Rashifa has stated her campaign will focus on residents' concerns including recurring flooding in parts of the constituency and the cost of living [4]. She has described her political goals as working toward a cleaner, more transparent Malaysia and securing the future of young people [2].

Known for

Rashifa Aljunied is known as Muda's first-time candidate tasked with defending the party's sole state seat in Johor — a seat first won by the party in 2022. She has built her profile through years of ground-level constituency service work in Puteri Wangsa, coordinating community programmes and advocacy initiatives. She is also the programme director of Muda's Teroka project, which trains youth in political advocacy.

Political positions

Based on reported statements, Rashifa Aljunied has identified flooding in areas within Puteri Wangsa as a key issue requiring attention, noting that certain parts of the constituency experience flooding even outside of the monsoon season [4]. She has expressed a commitment to representing the over 270,000 residents and more than 115,000 voters of the constituency [1]. More broadly, she has articulated support for anti-corruption principles, government transparency, and policies that advance opportunities for young Malaysians and address the cost of living [2]. No detailed policy positions on specific legislative matters have been reported at this time, as she is a first-time candidate and has not yet held elected office.

Education

1. Pre-2022Graduated with a Bachelor's degree in International and Strategic Studies from Universiti Malaya.⛓

Before politics

1. 2022Joined the Puteri Wangsa State Constituency Service Centre team under then-assemblywoman Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz, and subsequently served as chief officer of the service centre for approximately four years.⛓
2. Pre-2026Appointed as chief of staff to Muda president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz and became a member of Muda's Central Executive Committee.⛓
3. Pre-2026Appointed programme director for Muda's Teroka project, an initiative designed to train young people aged between 18 and 25 in advocacy and politics.⛓

Political career

1. June 20, 2026Named by Muda as its candidate for the Puteri Wangsa state seat in the 16th Johor state election, announced at a press conference in Taman Daya, Johor Bahru.⛓
2. June 27, 2026Filed nomination for the Puteri Wangsa seat at SMK Bandar Dato Onn, accompanied by Muda president Amira Aisya Abd Aziz. The seat was confirmed as a five-cornered contest.⛓

Election history

• 2026Puteri Wangsa (Johor State Legislative Assembly)Pending⛓

Perspectives on key issues

• GovernmentMuda president Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz stated that the decision to field Rashifa was made after in-depth discussions with party leadership and machinery, and described her as having a strong track record as the service centre chief officer.⛓
• ExpertIlham Centre executive director Hisomuddin Bakar noted that demographic factors and past voting patterns make Puteri Wangsa a key target seat for Pakatan Harapan, which fielded former education minister Dr Maszlee Malik in an attempt to unseat Muda's hold on the constituency.⛓
• VerifiedFactsPuteri Wangsa has more than 128,000 registered voters and is one of Johor's largest state constituencies. The seat's largest voter demographic is aged 21 to 29 at 32,776 people, with 11,573 voters aged 18 to 20. The seat falls under the Tebrau parliamentary constituency.⛓