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"YB" Title Not To Seek Glamour, Says BN Candidate

RAUB, Jan 17 (Bernama) - Polling for the Batu Talam state by-election is on Jan 28 but the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Abdul Aziz Mat Karim is already familiar with the title "Yang Berhormat".

Everywhere he goes on his campaign, people welcome him with "Selamat Datang YB" and thank him with "Terima Kasih YB".

Abdul Aziz, 47, who admits that he is a little uncomfortable when addressed that way, said that of more importance now was winning the by-election after which comes the heavy responsibility of being an elected representative.

He is up against independent candidate, Ng Chee Pang, 22, in the by-election, necessitated by the death of BN state assemblyman Datuk Tengku Paris Tengku Razlan on Dec 27.

The "YB" title is not to seek glamour or popularity but means shouldering responsibility for the people, he said when approached at the MCA Operations Room in Cheroh, here.

Abdul Aziz, who is the Raub Umno Division secretary, said his selection as the candidate was an honour and reflected the confidence of the Umno top leadership in him and he felt this should be translated by him into hard work.

As a local, he said, he was determined to bring change and development to the constituents of Batu Talam.

The strategic location of Batu Talam and as the main route for users of the Kuala Lumpur-Gua Musang highway are bound to contribute to the economic well-being of the constituents with the provision of good infrastructure. This was also true in the case of the Raub-Slim River road project.

Abdul Aziz said the livelihood of the people, who engaged in agriculture, would be uplifted with commercial ventures.

"By creating agri-entrepreneurs, we can open up more job opportunities for the young people of Batu Talam, many of whom are keen to move to Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor," he said.

He also said that Batu Talam, which was known for its Lata Lembik and Jeram Besu waterfalls, would be developed as a major tourist attraction in Pahang.

On the straight fight for the seat, Abdul Aziz said he was confident the 14 per cent Chinese voters in the constituency would vote for the BN. Taking himself as an example, Abdul Aziz said the relationship among the various communities in the constituency was close and strong.

"I used to travel to and from my village in Batu Malim to Cheroh to take the bus to school in Raub, and I have many friends among the Chinese here (in Cheroh)," he said.

He also said that other communities, including the Orang Asli, were not neglected and infrastructure such as schools, halls, roads and electricity and water supply were provided.

Labels: Batu Talam, Berita, Malaysia, Pilihanraya