Gagasan sec-gen promises change for underdeveloped Darau

Gagasan sec-gen promises change for underdeveloped Darau

If elected, Razali Razi says he will set up a system that will bring development to the constituency.

Gabungan Rakyat Sabah’s Razali Razi, better known as Bob, meets voters while on the campaign trail. (Razali Razi pic)
KOTA KINABALU:
The glaring lack of development in Darau, a state seat formerly held by Warisan, justifies the need for change, said Gabungan Rakyat Sabah’s Razali Razi.

The Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah secretary-general said many constituents, particularly those in rural villages, have long lamented the absence of proper channels to voice their concerns.

Razali, affectionately known as Bob, said this predicament was what spurred his team to step in and support the community over the past three years.

“Our efforts to address the pressing issues in Darau have already made a tangible difference in people’s lives,” he said.

“We did the most basic and practical things, we looked into the welfare of the residents, helped raise funds to help their kids further their studies in universities, and repaired dilapidated bridges and amenities.

“We have resolved some 70% of the issues faced by the people there,” he told FMT.

Prior to the dissolution of the state assembly last month, Darau was represented by Azhar Matussin, who won the seat with a slim vote majority of 562.

Come Nov 29, the seat will see a six-cornered fight between Razali, Azhar, Meriah Osman of Parti Impian Sabah, Barisan Nasional’s Joe Arfan, Nordin Thani of Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Malaysia, and Perikatan Nasional’s Nabila Norsahar.

Razali, a lawyer by profession, expressed confidence that Danau will see significant improvements if GRS secures the seat in the upcoming state election.

He claimed a majority of the voters in the area were fed up with the opposition’s politicking and wanted a representative who could get the job done.

“When we go to ground to campaign, we skip the rhetoric and focus on what we have done for voters, which the people of Darau can vouch for.”

Razali said that if elected, his first priority would be to establish a system for managing complaints, data and applications, allowing for future development to be carried out systematically rather than on an ad-hoc basis.

He said he also intends to establish a committee comprising village heads, mosque representatives, the youth and women to obtain diverse views.

“This committee will function like a department. It will hold meetings, organise town halls and collect data to coordinate all development.

“We will also draw up a five-year plan for each village. The data is necessary to ensure aid reaches targeted groups regardless of their background.”

Razali also said he will also focus on getting the youth interested in entrepreneurship by allocating aid for young entrepreneurs under Sabah Maju Jaya 2.0, the GRS administration’s masterplan for Sabah’s next phase of development.

Stay current - Follow FMT on WhatsApp, Google news and Telegram

Subscribe to our newsletter and get news delivered to your mailbox.