SABAH POLLS: BN’S ARTHUR BANKS ON DEVELOPMENT RECORD IN BID FOR SOOK SEAT

By Syed Iylia Hariz Al-Qadri

SOOK, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- Armed with a track record of delivering multi-million-ringgit road projects and fulfilling the promise of building a new secondary school, Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup is confident that these achievements will strengthen his bid to capture the Sook seat in the 17th Sabah State Election.

The Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate said his three years of experience as the Member of Parliament for Pensiangan and Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security proves his capability in implementing development projects in the interior areas.

“I am confident that I have contributed significantly in bringing major road projects, such as the road to Pegalungan and Pensiangan, the Rancangan Belia Tilon road, and the access road to Kampung Karamotoi. All of this was achieved in my capacity as deputy minister and MP,” he told Bernama while campaigning in Kampung Kalampun recently.

Another major effort realised was the construction of a new secondary school long awaited by the people of Sook.

He said that construction of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Dalit is ongoing, proving his commitment to the election promise he made.

Arthur, who is also Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah president, is contesting a state seat for the first time, challenging incumbent Datuk Ellron Angin in a five-cornered fight. Ellron won the Sook seat with a majority of 1,232 votes in the last state election.

Commenting on his manifesto, Arthur said emphasis is placed on core issues under the purview of the state government, particularly land and water, which are among the most critical problems in Sabah’s interior areas.

“Land is a major issue… village gazettement is slow, grants are issued late. This hampers villagers from improving their economic standing.

“Water is also a serious problem in Sook, Keningau and the entire interior zone of Sabah. Its implementation also falls under the state government,” he said.

He said the people’s confidence in his record forms the basis of his request for a mandate at the state level.

“I hope the people of Sook evaluate my work record. If they see what I have done, I appeal to them — give me the chance to serve at the state government level,” he said.

As the campaign enters the home straight, Arthur said all candidates are now in their final sprint, actively making a “last-minute push” to meet voters and garner support.

However, he stressed that the campaign must remain healthy and focused on offerings for the people.

“I truly hope we continue to campaign with integrity, without personal attacks. Focus on what agenda we can offer to help the people,” he said.

Located about 147 kilometres from Kota Kinabalu, the Sook constituency is one of the interior areas within the Pensiangan parliamentary seat.

Polling is tomorrow while early voting was conducted on Tuesday.

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

-- BERNAMA