BERA – Caretaker prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s contributions to the people here have been well received, as they relate to his down-to-earth personality.
For Kg Orang Asli Chuat local Jaibidin Rudin, 40, Ismail Sabri is a friendly figure with no pretensions who greatly improved the living conditions of the Semelai tribe in the village, even more so after he was appointed prime minister in August last year.
“The villagers here are very familiar with him because he always visits us and takes pains to resolve our problems,” he told The Vibes when met at the village here recently.
“He always cares about the Orang Asli here, especially our education and economic opportunities.”
The quaint village, about an hour’s drive from the town here, is home to almost 100 residents, many of whom earn a living from working in the surrounding palm oil plantations.
Jaibidin added that while the downpour in December last year had inundated some areas in the village, residents had little to worry about as government assistance arrived promptly and without much fuss.
Alternative roads have since been built in the area to provide more exit points for villagers.
“He (Ismail Sabri) provided food aid for all the residents here (during the floods). Even when the country was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and had to go into a lockdown, we were not overly worried because we received sufficient supplies to tide us over.
“Thanks to the government aid we received, not one person in the village tested positive for Covid-19 because we could remain safely at home without venturing to town.”
Meanwhile, another local, Mazlan Madi, 29, said the villagers here are content with their lives since the Ismail Sabri administration ensured that housing facilities were provided by authorities free of charge.
“We didn’t have street lights or electricity and water supply here before Ismail Sabri stepped in and ensured we were taken care of.
“We (villagers) have a roof over our heads and stable income. For me, things here are good enough.”
His sentiment was echoed by fellow villager Yudi Amoi, 62, who is glad to be able to house her family in a home provided under Ismail Sabri’s watch.
“Contractors began building this house in April 2015 and we were able to move in two months later,” she said while showing The Vibes around the spacious compound she shares with her three children.
“All of us here (villagers) own our lands but most of the houses we live in now are provided by (Ismail Sabri) under his housing projects.
“He (Ismail Sabri) is one of the only politicians who we frequently see around here. He is not arrogant at all,” she said, noting that Ismail Sabri’s wife, Datin Seri Muhaini Zainal Abidin, has also been spotted visiting residents recently.
Besides that, a Felda Bukit Kepayang resident who wanted to be known as Angah, said the Felda community is also grateful to Ismail Sabri for his care towards the settlers.
“We had schools and other necessary facilities (before Ismail Sabri was prime minister) but he upgraded our infrastructure immensely while also governing the nation,” he told The Vibes when met at a restaurant in the city centre here.
“It is difficult to find a prime minister like him (Ismail Sabri). Bera folk are very proud of his accomplishments, especially since he is from our district.
“Words cannot convey how thrilled we are at having one of our own representing us in the highest seat in government.”
He opined that it would be difficult for the challengers in the polls to topple the incumbent as Ismail Sabri enjoys strong support from the people here.
“There is no reason for us to praise him (Ismail Sabri) if he has not done his job. We support him because he has fulfilled our needs and we know that he will continue serving the people.” – The Vibes, November 12, 2022
