By Amanda L
KUCHING, Nov 15: Political responsibility does not begin when an election is called or end when its results are announced, according to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Amar Fadillah Yusof.
Speaking at the Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Southern Zone Special Convention 2026 today, he emphasised that elected representatives must remain committed to serving the public throughout their entire term rather than only stepping up efforts when polling day approaches.
“Our responsibility to the people does not begin only when an election is announced, nor does it end when the election results are known,” he said, noting that this active dedication reflects the core working culture upheld by PBB and Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) over the years.
He stressed that once an election concludes, politicians need to pivot away from active campaigning and refocus entirely on state and community development.
“We campaign intensively during elections. Once the campaign and election are over, we return our focus to working for the people and our state,” he explained.
To reinforce this mandate, Fadillah outlined that public service must remain grounded in trust, integrity, and accountability.
Beyond basic representation, this requires actively listening to public concerns, monitoring development projects, and maintaining the courage to rectify local shortcomings.
“When the people give us their mandate, we must carry out that responsibility wholeheartedly.
“When they raise problems, we must listen. When a project is planned, its implementation must be monitored. When shortcomings are identified, we must have the courage to address them,” he added.
Looking ahead to the 13th Sarawak Election, Fadillah urged party members to effectively communicate the State government’s policies and development track record to the public.
While the upcoming Sarawak Election will give voters the opportunity to evaluate the administration’s progress and choose leadership for the next five years, he reiterated that serving the populace remains a continuous duty.
“We have worked very hard. Many initiatives have been undertaken to develop Sarawak and safeguard the interests of our people,” he said. — DayakDaily
