Kinabatangan: Youths in the Kinabatangan parliamentary constituency are hopeful that the elected candidate will prioritize youth development by improving sports facilities and creating more employment opportunities to boost the local economy.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, a youth representative, 20-year-old Muhamad Firdaus Robin, emphasized the importance of adequate sports facilities in promoting a healthy lifestyle and fostering positive behavior among youths. He noted that such measures could prevent youths from falling into social ills and encourage active participation in community development through sports and entrepreneurship activities, which could stimulate the local economy.
Muhamad Firdaus, who will vote at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bukit Garam II, highlighted the critical unemployment issue among local youth, with job opportunities concentrated in Kota Kinabatangan town. He expressed concern over friends venturing to distant places like Kota Kinabalu and Lahad Datu for jobs, as he works as a barista at a local caf©.
Nurasyarah Aiin Judy@Janudin, 28, stressed the need for developing business premises and tourist attractions as potential catalysts for local economic growth. She proposed that infrastructure development could pave the way for job opportunities for youths, who currently have limited options and often seek livelihoods far from home. Nurasyarah currently supports her family through an online business.
Meanwhile, 23-year-old Norsakilah Kassim, a voter in the Lamag state constituency, called for more attention to the scarcity of sports facilities, which she described as inadequate and not meeting youths’ needs. She pointed out the lack of venues for various sports activities, except for badminton, and emphasized the need for facilities for other sports like volleyball.
The Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state by-elections are prompted by the death of the incumbent, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, 66, on Dec 5 last year. Kinabatangan’s electoral contest involves Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar of Barisan Nasional (BN), Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman (Warisan), and Goldam Hamid (Independent), while Lamag faces a straight contest between Mohd Ismail Ayob (BN) and Mazliwati Abdul Malek (Warisan).
The Kinabatangan parliamentary constituency has 48,722 registered voters, with 57.17 percent, or 27,841, aged between 18 and 39. The Election Commission has set polling for both by-elections for Jan 24, with early voting on Jan 20.