Friendly smile, warm personality make PN’s candidate for Apas approachable rep

TAWAU: The friendly smile on his face and his warm personality are among the character traits of Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, the incumbent of Apas state seat, that make him an approachable representative.

A resident in the state constituency, Habsah Awang, 68, said Nizam never seemed awkward when mingling with his constituents, and had diligently went to the ground to meet with them and listen to their problems.

“I’m a registered voter in Apas. I think Nizam has inherited the same traits of his late brother (Datuk Taufiq Abu Bakar Titingan), a simple man who was concerned of the people’s problems in Tawau.

“We really need such a representative who work hard for the people,” she told Bernama here yesterday.

Another constituent, Rustiani Baba, 39, said she believed that Nizam still has strong support in Apas as he is undeniably liked by many.

“Nizam is still very much accepted by the people because he always makes an effort to go to the ground and help the people, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic,” she said.

Rustiani also expressed hope that whoever elected as the next Apas assemblyman would try to come out with other mechanisms to help those in need, as well as efforts to empower women in the state.

Meanwhile, Nizam when met during his campaign at Tanjung Tawau Market, said he had been going to the ground on regular basis to meet his voters in Apas ever since he won the seat in the 14th General Election (GE14).

“This campaign period is just another opportunity for me to catch up on the voters,” he said.

The candidate said the only difference in this snap election was the fact that PN’s election machinery would be assisted by its allies, Umno and PAS, to ensure victory in all seats contested, including Apas.

Nizam said the people have high hope that Sabah’s economy would be more stable and problems such as basic amenities could be solved under the federal government led by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

“During the two-year period under the previous government, the people complained that the water supply issue had worsened compared to when Barisan Nasional (BN) was in power,” he said.

Throughout the campaign, Nizam was accompanied by his wife, Datin Wahida Mardiana Norsalim.

Admitting that most of her husband’s time was spent with the people, Wahida said he would always try his level best to serve them.

“Hence, I hope the voters in Apas will give him their mandate again in this state election,” she said.

Nizam is being challenged by three other candidates - Amrullah @ Ambrullah Kamal of Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan), Datu Indal Datu Ismail of Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS) and Muhd Sayardi Bakal from Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Sabah Bersatu (Usno) in the fight for the seat.