Sharim hits the ground running
New Chini rep meets with residents to hear their views and problems
PEKAN: Fresh from his by-election win, Barisan Nasional’s Mohd Sharim Md Zain wasted no time in getting down to work to meet the people in the Chini state constituency to hear their grouses.
By 8am yesterday, Mohd Sharim was already having breakfast with Felda Chini 3 residents at a roti canai stall before heading to the Kekal Chini wet market in Bandar Dara Chini to thank the people for electing him as their new state assemblyman.
Members of the community, especially the older generation, were seen congratulating Mohd Sharim, who is a second-generation Felda settler.
He said the meet-the-people session was his first task as he wanted to find out more about their grievances.
“Today, I met Felda Chini 3 residents and listened to their views as well as their problems. InsyaAllah (God willing), I will meet residents in other areas after this.
“There are development and water issues in Chini. With the cooperation of the state and Federal governments, we will solve these problems in the near future,” Mohd Sharim said.
He said economic development would be given attention, adding that the proposed paper mill in Paloh Hinai was expected to provide jobs for over 3,000 youths in the constituency.
Mohd Sharim retained the Chini seat for Barisan with a 12,650-vote majority, garnering 13,872 votes to beat two independent candidates – Tengku Datuk Zainul Hisham
Tengku Hussin, 64, who obtained 1,222 votes, and Mohd Shukri Mohd Ramli, 49, who only garnered 137 votes.
In Kota Baru, PAS deputy president Datuk Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said he was pleased with the dedication and cooperation shown by Perikatan Nasional workers in the Chini by-election.
“This is an early indication that we can work together in the next general election, ” he added.
He also expressed confidence that parties in Perikatan would remain united in facing the Opposition in the 15th General Election.
Tuan Ibrahim said there had been positive indications when the matter was discussed during the presidential council of the ruling alliance and the main committee of Muafakat Nasional comprising Umno and PAS.
“Among the early understanding reached was the agreement of Umno and PAS to maintain Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as the Prime Minister after GE15.
“Pakatan Harapan has failed to reach an agreement on this.
“Secondly, we agreed to have straight fights (with the Opposition),” he said after meeting the Kelantan Mentri Besar at Kota Darul Naim yesterday.
Perikatan consists of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, Barisan, PAS, Gabungan Parti Sarawak and several other parties. — Bernama