Pitas rep ready to contest Kudat parliamentary seat

KOTA KINABALU: Incumbent Pitas assemblyman Datuk Bolkiah Ismail has expressed his readiness to contest in the Kudat parliamentary seat in the upcoming 14th general election (GE14).

Although the current Kudat Umno Division chief did not actually confirm anything, he did say he was ‘flexible’ enough to take up the challenge if he was asked to do so.

Bolkiah, who is also the Assistant Industrial Development Minister made the statement in reference to the rumours of him taking over Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri’s parliamentary seat in Kudat.

“I do not know (whether I will be contesting in the Kudat parliamentary seat). Only the Chief Minister (Tan Sri Musa Haji Aman) and Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) would know,¨ he told reporters when met during an event at Sabah Cheshire Home and Services yesterday.

“I am flexible. If you put me in parliament, there would be no problem and no hesitation. I think, in fact, I can widen my exposure and knowledge,¨ he said.

When asked whether Barisan Nasional could retain the Pitas and Kudat seats, he asserted that he was confident that the ruling party would be able to do so.

Bolkiah, who is the assemblyman for Pitas for the past two terms, also stressed that most of the goals for his constituency had been achieved.

“When I first became the assemblyman for Pitas, the first thing I wanted to do was to ensure that basic infrastructures such as water supply, roads that connect the villages as well as electricity supply would be given more emphasis,” he said.

“I think we have spent a lot of money in order to fulfil my aspiration (for Pitas). Throughout my tenure, I was able to get more than 12 roads sealed. Also, almost 90 per cent of my constituency now has electricity supply,¨ he added.

Commenting on Pitas water supply, Bolkiah said initially, the villagers had trouble relying on the existing water plant. Thus, Bolkiah opted to acquire an additional water plant worth RM52 million back in 2017.

He reiterated the water plant, which he described as a “contribution from the government” will be implemented within this year.

Under his tenure, Bolkiah had also emphasised on assisting the poor, citing a People’s Housing Programme (PPR) project worth RM82 million as an example.