SABAH POLLS: SUPPORT FOR RUJI IN MERONTAI GROWING - SAIFUDDIN NASUTION

TAWAU, Nov 24 (Bernama)  -- The trend of support for Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for Merotai state seat, Datuk Ruji Ubi seems to be growing based on observations of the constituency since six months ago, PH secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said.

He added that the opposing candidate from Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan), Merotai incumbent Sarifuddin Hata was good as was Ruji as well.

“The difference with the incumbent is that he is far from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, but Datuk Ruji is good and close to the Prime Minister, that’s the advantage, so over 24,000 Merotai shouldn’t forget on the ballot, number four,” he said at a political talk at the Hotspring district voting centre in Jalan Air Panas here today.

He explained that Ruji was also the best choice for Merotai as he has extensive experience as a head administrator having served as secretary in several federal government ministries.

“Ruji has been the Education Ministry secretary-general, and at the ministry, the Prime Minister provided allocations of RM60 billion, he (Ruji) had to take care of 12,000 schools, he had to take care of five million students, 400,000 teachers, who took care of them, he (Ruji) did, the man from Merotai.

“If he can take care of five million students, 400,000 teachers, if he can take care of 12,000 schools and manage allocations of RM60 billion, imagine if we put him as Merotai assemblyman, he would be a better elected representative,” he said.

Saifuddin Nasution also pointed out that Ruji had been Home Ministry secretary-general and had served well and responsibly.

“Under the Home Ministry, there are 13,000 police, 18,000 immigration officials, 14,000 national registration department officials, 70,000 People’s Volunteer Corp members, as well as 10,000 Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency personnel with an allocation of RM21 billion.

“He (Ruji) can manage well, and before he was Home Ministry secretary-general, he was the Implementation Coordination Unit director-general, under the Prime Minister’s Department, all the Prime Minister’s allocations are there and Ruji knows the allocations available,” he said, as he advised Merotai voters to choose a candidate and party that can work with the Prime Minister and the Federal Government.

He also informed that the Prime Minister was due to be at the Merotai Open Hall on Nov 26 to meet residents there.

Merotai is one of four state constituencies, including Tanjung Batu, Kukusan and Sebatik - that make up the Kalabakan parliamentary constituency.

Sabah voters will cast their ballots on Nov 29, with early voting taking place tomorrow (Nov 25).

For the latest updates on the 17th Sabah state election, visit https://prn.bernama.com/sabah/index.php

N72: MEROTAI: SABAH: 26,179

1. Rhyme @ Reymie Kassim     (PIS)

2. Hasan Haris                            (PN-PAS)

3. Sarifuddin Hata                       (Warisan)

4. Datuk Ruji Ubi                          (PH-PKR)

(2020: Sarifuddin Hata: Warisan Plus-Warisan: Majoriti: 1,587)

-- BERNAMA