Additional Secondary School In Merotai Among Key Goals Of PH Candidate

TAWAU, Nov 17 (Bernama) -- An additional secondary school needs to be built in the Merotai state constituency to meet the educational needs of the local community.

Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Merotai seat, Datuk Ruji Ubi, said he is committed to championing the aspirations of the people if given the mandate to represent the constituency in the upcoming 17th Sabah State Election.

Ruji, who is also the former secretary-general of the Ministry of National Unity, said that with only two existing options - Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Merotai and SMK Abaka - many students are forced to travel long distances to Tawau town to pursue their studies.

“There is a clear need, especially in the next four to five years, for an additional secondary school in the Merotai constituency. This is an issue I had raised even during my tenure as secretary-general of the Ministry of Education,” he said.

Ruji said this when met by Bernama after attending a group ceramah at the Air Panas District Voting Centre here last night.

Ruji, who is also the former secretary-general of the Home Ministry, said his commitment is in line with the vision to develop Merotai and ensure that local children receive fair and equitable educational opportunities.

Apart from education, Ruji also pledged to address two major issues in Air Panas - the lack of street lighting and the need for proper drain maintenance.

“There are dark stretches of road in this area, particularly in the Chinese villages, and there is a need to install solar street lights. Drain maintenance in Air Panas is also crucial, as heavy rain can easily lead to flash floods,” he said.

In the upcoming polls, Ruji is facing a four-cornered contest for the Merotai state seat, which falls under the Tawau parliamentary constituency, located about 300 kilometres from Kota Kinabalu.

The Election Commission (EC) has set Nov 29 as polling day for the 17th Sabah State Election, which involves 73 state seats, while early voting will be held on Nov 25.

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

N72: MEROTAI: SABAH: 26,179

1. Rhyme @ Reymie Kassim           (PIS)

2. Hasan Haris                                 (PN-PAS)

3. Sarifuddin Hata                             (Warisan)

4. Datuk Ruji Ubi                               (PH-PKR)

(2020: Sarifuddin Hata: Warisan Plus-Warisan: Majority: 1,587)

-- BERNAMA