BN’s Mohd Ismail Eyes Diploma-level MARA Courses For Lamag Youths

KINABATANGAN, Jan 12 (Bernama) -- Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Lamag state by-election, Mohd Ismail Ayob, said he will propose to Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki that MARA institutions in the area be upgraded from certificate-level programmes to diploma courses.

He said the proposal aims to provide youths with access to higher-level skills training without having to migrate out of the Lamag constituency.

“Human capital development through skills-based higher education institutions and efforts to upgrade dilapidated schools form part of my agenda.

“Among our (BN) manifesto pledges is to strengthen education by establishing skills-based higher education institutions for the benefit of local residents,” he told reporters after engaging with parents and teachers following the end of the school session in front of Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Garam II here today.

Mohd Ismail, 44, better known as Miha, said close cooperation between the state and Federal governments would also enable issues involving dilapidated educational infrastructure in the area to be addressed more effectively, with support and attention from the Education Ministry (MoE).

Meanwhile, he urged the MoE to expedite the rebuilding of the SK Bukit Garam II hall, which was damaged in a fire last month, as it is an essential facility for pupils and Parent-Teacher Association activities.

Commenting on the campaign, which entered its third day today, Mohd Ismail said the door-to-door approach would continue, while the use of social media would be intensified as a key platform to engage voters, particularly youths.

The Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election features a three-cornered contest involving Mohd Kurniawan Naim Moktar (BN), Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman (Warisan) and Goldam Hamid (Independent), while the Lamag state by-election is a straight fight between Mohd Ismail and Mazliwati Abdul Malek (Warisan).

The by-elections are being held following the death of the incumbent, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, 66, on Dec 5 last year.

The Lamag constituency has 13,899 voters, of whom 4,617 are young voters.

Polling is on Jan 24, with early voting takes place on Jan 20.

-- BERNAMA