By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, Dec 8: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate for N3 Tanjong Datu Azizul Annuar Adenan wants to be step out of his late father’s shadow in the 12th Sarawak Election.
The 30-year-old also asked voters not to see him as a person who rides on his family’s legacy and popularity, especially when it comes to his late father, the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem.
Speaking at a political chat titled ‘Sarawak Election – Young Candidates Hope’ today, Azizul acknowledged the fact there would be huge expectations for him to win.
“Yes, the pressure and expectation for me to win is there because of my family history in Tanjong Datu. But I am a strong believer that I can do it on my own and I want to be measured that way. I want to step out of the shadows and do this myself, to prove to the people that I can.
“Back in school, I was very active in sports. I competed in major events, thus it is very similar when it comes pressure and expectations. So I am used to it,” Azizul said.
However, he is firm and determined to continue his father’s legacy.
Although this is his maiden election appearance, Azizul said he have been helping his father in serving Tanjong Datu for a long time.
He was also the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) youth chief in 2018.
On infrastructure and economy, Azizul pledged to continue developing the area through the existing blueprint development and action plan if he wins the seat.
“Since my late father’s time, we had a blueprint, focusing on many more developments to be done such as turning the southern zone into a tourism hub and improving basic infrastructure particularly water, electricity, road and not forgetting internet access.
“I pledge to continue the blueprint, make it successful and bring this constituency to new heights as per my father’s mission and our Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari’s mission ‘Sarawak Maju 2030’,” Azizul added.
On voter turnout for the polls this Dec 18, he was concerned over the people’s fear of Covid-19.
People may not want to turn up to vote because they are afraid, he said, but rest assured, all required standard operating procedures (SOP) will be in placed as per the Election Commission (EC) and State Disaster Management Committee’s (SDMC) directive.
“To all the voters in Tanjong Datu, please come out and vote. This is only once in five years and I ask that you vote for the government of your choice which I hope will be GPS,” Azizul said.
“I would like to carry the ‘voice’ of Sarawak’s younger generation. As a young leader, I am able to understand issues concerning youths which may not be understood by older elected representatives.”
Adenan, fondly known as Tok Nan, defended the seat under the Barisan Nasional (BN) ticket for three consecutive terms.
In 2016, he won with 6,360 votes, beating Jazolkipli Numan who obtained 468 votes.
Jamilah on the other hand, won the Tanjong Datu seat in a by-election not long after Adenan passed away from heart complications on Jan 11, 2017.
She garnered 6,573 votes in a three-cornered fight against Rapelson Richard Hamit from PBDS Baru (130 votes) and Johnny Bob Aput from STAR (108 votes). — DayakDaily
