Sandakan: Continuing his active campaign trail, Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election, Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar, today reached out to voters in Pulau Tanjung Aru, pledging to prioritize youth empowerment and local development if elected as the people's representative.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Mohd Kurniawan Naim emphasized the need for infrastructure development and addressing local social needs to enhance the well-being of residents. He noted that some infrastructure in the village is outdated and requires upgrading, which includes the construction of new facilities such as a mosque, a community hall, and sports amenities like futsal and volleyball courts.
Speaking after a meeting with Pulau Tanjung Aru residents, which was also attended by Kimanis UMNO division chief Datuk Mohamad Alamin, Mohd Kurniawan Naim, 32, highlighted the importance of creating job opportunities for youths to prevent them from migrating to urban areas in search of stable income sources. He pointed out the potential of the micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) sector in the area, advocating for strategic collaborations with the Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development Ministry (KUSKOP) to encourage youth entrepreneurship.
The Kinabatangan UMNO Youth chief underscored the significance of providing support through skills training, access to financing, and business mentoring to open up employment opportunities and create sustainable income for youths. He noted the limited job opportunities in the village, with many residents relying on fishing and small-scale farming, and highlighted the importance of initiatives like TEKUN Nasional for microfinancing small entrepreneurs.
Mohd Kurniawan Naim assured that if given the mandate, he would address issues related to development, employment opportunities, and youth welfare in Parliament to ensure Pulau Tanjung Aru residents' needs receive adequate attention and are effectively addressed.
Pulau Tanjung Aru is a water village located about three nautical miles (5.5 kilometers) from Sandakan town, predominantly inhabited by fishermen. The Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election is a three-cornered contest involving Mohd Kurniawan Naim, Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman (Warisan), and Goldam Hamid (Independent). Concurrently, the Lamag state by-election is a straight fight between Mohd Ismail Ayob (BN) and Mazliwati Abdul Malek (Warisan), following the death of incumbent Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, 66, on Dec 5.
The Election Commission has designated a 14-day campaign period from yesterday until January 23, with polling scheduled for January 24 and early voting on January 20.
Meanwhile, BN candidate for Lamag, Mohd Ismail Ayob, also prioritizes youth empowerment and local development in his campaign. Known as Miha, Mohd Ismail, 44, stressed the need for continuous advocacy to prevent Lamag from lagging behind in various sectors, including employment, sports, education, and basic amenities like water and electricity supply.
Mohd Ismail stated that effective implementation of infrastructure and economic development plans requires choosing a representative aligned with the state and Federal governments, warning against electing opposition candidates. He emphasized the necessity of a representative with government access to allocations and good relations to effectively voice the people's concerns.
Earlier, as part of his campaign, Mohd Ismail engaged with youths through volleyball games at Kampung Kasih Sayang and Kampung Muhibbah and mingled with participants of the 'Santai Beliawanis' program.