Ariffin keen to defend Membakut state seat
KOTA KINABALU: Umno Kimanis Division deputy chief Datuk Ariffin Arif is prepared to defend the Membakut state seat for Barisan Nasional (BN) if he is fielded again by the coalition's top leadership in the 14th general election (GE14).
Ariffin said that although Membakut was located within the BN-Umno Kimanis parliamentary stronghold, the party did not take anything lightly and had mobilized division machinery since more than a year ago.
The former Membakut assemblyman also said whether or not he would be fielded in GE14, he would fight along with the party to keep the state constituency under the Umno belt.
“Our bases are open and our machinery are prepared for the much awaited moment of the election,” he said at the state level Jheains Ihtifal Ilmi Tadika ceremony at Wisma Muis here, yesterday.
“Our record can indeed be seen by the rakyat. In this case, we ask the rakyat to choose wisely the people that are truly fighting for them,” urged the former Membakut assemblyman.
According to Ariffin, Umno Membakut plans for further infrastructure improvement such as upgrade of roads in Membakut.
He said most road infrastructure issues had been dealt with and there were only a few villages left that needed further attention there.
He added Umno had already focused on youth-centric programs with Umno and BN Youth in the Parliamentary constituency and plans to continue with more programs in the future
Ariffin will also continue with the Membakut ‘Develop with Knowledge' slogan and carry on with his annual school and ParentTeacher Association allocation that he had extended to 22 schools since 10 years ago.
“I have definitely given attention to education. Whether secondary or primary school, I have indeed given annual allocation,” he said.
“Secondary schools are given RM7,000 yearly each and the PTAs, RM5,000 annually. This was not started this year, but it has been ten years. So all the youths have been (given) attention in the education field,” said Ariffin.
“I also extend this to primary schools. RM5,000 are given to the schools, RM2,000 to PTAs yearly each. So there are no grumbles in the education corner,” he added.
Ariffin said emphasis on education had been included along with agriculture and other fields in the Membakut Vision, launched 13 years ago.
When it comes to agriculture, he added that 200 acres of neglected land in Membakut had been recultivated last year, and another 100 acres this year.
He said 100 acres of land in Membakut had also been developed into orchards for durian, including the Musang King.
Ariffin added that more than 50 stalls have also been built for farmers to support Membakut's agricultural business growth.
“This also involves youth. Paddy planting, a large portion of it also involves youth.
“I hope youths will answer the government's call for agricultural development because agriculture can also become a good source of income for them,” he added.