ARAU – With tensions within Perlis Barisan Nasional (BN) over the leadership’s move to drop former local warlord Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim as a candidate, the coalition’s pick for the federal seat here, Datuk Rozabil Abdul Rahman, is using humour to drum up support.
Met on his walkabout rounds in the Chinese stretch of the Pauh market, Rozabil was cracking jokes with constituents, telling them to call him “Ah Ben”. Ben is his nickname in political circles.
The businessman says it is a David versus Goliath battle against Shahidan, who is going against his former party on a Perikatan Nasional (PN) ticket.
“I am the underdog,” said Penang-born Rozabil, adding that he has nothing against Shahidan and wants to serve Arau constituents.
He said it is hard to convince voters because Shahidan had been a federal minister and also former Perlis menteri besar for three terms.
“But I am not here to dwell on Shahidan. He has served well, and I respect him, but I was asked to contest by the party leadership, so I have no choice but to accept.”
He said his priority, if elected, is to secure quality jobs so youth in Arau can remain in the state where they were born and bred.
Part of this will be to establish more skills training institutes so the young can gain insights into farming and pick up vocational skills.
“We have too many youngsters leaving Perlis. This hampers growth as the productivity cycle leaves with them. We need to retain our youth, and I think everybody, if given a choice, would like to remain with their families.”
Arau has 60,876 voters in GE15, of which 16,000 are aged 18 to 29.
In addition to creating job opportunities, Rozabil said he will explore the potential to build more affordable housing in the state.
Investments he plans to attract are in agro-tourism, which he says can supplement Perlis’ main economic driver: the agriculture sector.
“It can be done. We just need commitment from the private and public sectors. A prosperous Perlis is a win-win for everybody.”
He also doesn’t want Perlis to be a drive-through for tourists, but instead wishes to have them stay overnight as they move to and fro across the land border with Thailand.
The other candidate for the Arau seat is Abdul Razak Abdul Khalek of Pejuang, representing the Gerakan Tanah Air coalition.
Polling day is on November 19. – The Vibes, November 11, 2022
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