KUKUSAN: SAMSIAH PLEDGES WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT, SKILLS TRAINING AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES

By Khatijah Jistoh

TAWAU, Nov 23 (Bernama) -- Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) candidate for the Kukusan state seat, Samsiah Usman, has pledged to champion women’s empowerment in the constituency if elected in the 17th Sabah State Election (PRN).

Samsiah, from Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (Harapan Rakyat), a GRS component party, said initiatives would include creating economic opportunities and skills training, particularly for homemakers.

“We want to give homemakers the chance to engage in small-scale entrepreneurship. They can run businesses and supplement household income while caring for their children at home,” she told Bernama.

She added that the women’s economy in Kukusan can be strengthened by helping them improve skills such as sewing, cooking and handicrafts, while welfare initiatives, especially for single mothers, will also be prioritised.

“Harapan Rakyat and GRS are committed to bringing a new era to Kukusan with programmes implemented since the start of the term, not just during election campaigns,” she said, citing many initiatives carried out, including the Sabah Maju Jaya housing scheme.

She also highlighted the gazetting of Kampung Sri Menanti, Kampung Airport Lama, Kampung Hilltop and Kampung Sentosa Blok 5, with residents benefitting from upgraded community halls, village roads and drainage.

Samsiah said her development agenda includes opening new industries to create more jobs for local youth who otherwise have to migrate to Kuala Lumpur or Kota Kinabalu.

Residents have voiced their expectations. Fifty-three-year-old homemaker Aminah Palawe from Kampung Barisan hopes the winning candidate will focus on infrastructure, including repairing roads and building community halls, while supporting women’s skills and entrepreneurship programs.

Meanwhile, 28-year-old Sahila Mohiibe called on the elected representative to create more job opportunities in Kukusan and ensure essential services, including uninterrupted clean water supply.

Samsiah is facing a 10-cornered contest, including incumbent Rina Jainal, who is running as an independent after winning the seat on the Warisan Plus ticket in the 2020 state election.

The Kukusan state constituency, with 19,225 registered voters, is one of the state seats under the Kalabakan parliamentary seat, along with Tanjung Batu. Early voting is scheduled for Nov 25, with polling on Nov 29.

For the latest news on the 17th Sabah State Election, visit https://prn.bernama.com/sabah/index.php.

N70: KUKUSAN: SABAH: 19,225  

1. Ab Rahman Yahya                  (STAR) 

2. Samsiah Usman                     (GRS-PHRS)

3. Chaya Sulaiman                     (BN-UMNO)

4. Mariani Sulaiman                    (Anak Negeri)

5. Ishak Ismail                             (PPRS)

6. Razik Muyong                         (PIS)

7. Francis Lawrence @ Yusop    (PN-Bersatu)

8. Ma'mun Sulaiman                    (Warisan)

9. Hairul Amin Arif                        (Bebas)

10. Rina Jainal                             (Bebas)

(2020: Rina Jainal: Warisan Plus-Warisan: Maj: 10)

-- BERNAMA