KUALA LUMPUR – Former Skudai State Assemblyman (ADUN) Marina Ibrahim has reiterated that she will not be making a return to active politics, despite receiving offers from three political parties ahead of the upcoming Johor State Election (PRN).
She said her position remains unchanged, even as various parties continue to approach her with requests to contest again.
“There are other parties that have approached me, but I have respectfully declined the offers.
“I will not return to politics. I believe there are still many ways to help the community, and it does not necessarily have to be through a political role,” she said, as reported by Berita Harian.
Marina, who stepped away from active politics on May 31, also rejected allegations circulating on social media that she had avoided Malay‑majority areas or lacked the courage to contest in such constituencies.
She said such claims were inaccurate, pointing out that much of her previous political work had in fact been carried out in Malay‑majority areas.
She explained that in 2021 she was assigned to Layang‑Layang, where she was involved in grassroots work including setting up a community centre and building local support, with expectations of contesting in the area.
“At that time, I was still new in politics and was tasked with building support in a rural area with a Malay majority. I was also expected to face Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, who was then serving as a Johor State Executive Council member,” she said.
Marina also highlighted her role as a campaign manager during the 15th General Election (GE15) in Mersing, a constituency made up of approximately 76 per cent Malay voters.
She said these experiences clearly demonstrated that she had never avoided working in or campaigning within Malay‑majority areas.
“As a Malay woman who has campaigned in villages and FELDA settlements, and who was even spat on during campaigning, I am not someone who is afraid to enter Malay areas,” she said.
She further stressed that her decision to leave politics was not driven by disappointment, dissatisfaction, or any desire for an easier path.
Instead, she said it was made after careful reflection and with the backing of her volunteer team, who had supported her throughout her political journey.
Marina also paid tribute to her multi‑racial volunteer team, describing them as the backbone of her efforts and struggles over the years.
She first rose to prominence after winning the Skudai state seat in the 2022 Johor State Election.
However, she recently confirmed her decision to step away from active politics in order to focus on community service through non‑political channels.
Johor DAP has since described her departure as a significant loss to the party. – June 3, 2026