KALABAKAN:
Despite being a new face competing against five other contenders including the incumbent in the tussle over the Merotai state seat in the upcoming Sabah state election, Mohamad Jalani Chachu of Perikatan Nasional (PN) is undeterred.Mohamad Jalani, a former teacher who prefers to be called Cikgu Jay, is confident that he will be able to win the hearts of the voters. He said his campaign to woo the Merotai voters had started early and it was gaining momentum as the voters could see that the PN-led government cares about the people.
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“I am not afraid to face all the contenders, including the incumbent. All I care about is the people and the benefits that they can get,” he told Bernama when met in Kampung Haji Matahir here. Many things needed to be done in Merotai, he said, involving the people’s interests which could be implemented with the support of the federal government. “There are a lot to be developed in Merotai. Its basic facilities are still far behind. Roads leading to the villages and access to telecommunications need to be upgraded.
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“I would also like to see the health clinic in Merotai to be upgraded to meet the needs of the people, besides improving school facilities (because) there are still schools that do not have halls for students to carry out activities when it’s raining outside,” he said. Mohamad Jalani also intended to establish an Islamic religious school in the constituency, if he is given the mandate come Sept 26. He said the government had allocated RM8.9 million to set up a fire station in Merotai in response to his proposal and he was hopeful that he could bring about more changes in the Merotai development landscape. Mohamad Jalani is taking on incumbent Sarifuddin Hata from Warisan, veteran politician Tan Sri Liew Yun Fah (Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah), Hafeezatul Halimah Mohamad (USNO), Shim Nyat Yun (LDP) and Abdullah Palile (PCS) in the fight for the state seat. Merotai has 14,973 voters.
