Barisan Nasional and Umno are pinning their hopes on Tuan Aziz Tuan Mat to provide a reversal of fortunes in the PAS stronghold of Manek Urai come next Tuesday’s by-election.

Although Manek Urai had only fell twice to Umno and BN in 12 general elections, Umno is determined to wrest the seat this time around.

The Malay nationalist party feels they have a good chance as they possess a young and well-educated candidate to represent the people.

Umno is hoping that 45 percent of the young voters who are under 40 would select the younger candidate.

manek urai by election tuan aziz tuan mat 2 Certainly, Tuan Aziz, 39, has impressive credentials.

A former manager at the South Kelantan Development Authority, he was born and bred in Kuala Krai. The son of a former headmaster had his early education at a Chinese kindergarten in Kuala Krai.

This, the university graduate said, is an asset as it helps him with interacting with the local Chinese community.

Tuan Aziz is aware of the heavy responsibilities in terms of developing Manek Urai, one of the rural constituencies in the PAS-ruled state of Kelantan.

“There is still a lot of infrastructure development needed here. This development is needed for the social and mental development in this area,” he said.

“I would like to help the voters improve their livelihood and increase their income, get more education opportunities for them.

“I also want to help the youth gain proper and permanent employment. If they cannot gain a proper education, they would not have proper job opportunities,” he added.

Being picked came as a surprise

The Kuala Krai Umno Youth chief, who possesses a degree in information management from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, said he was surprised that he was picked as a candidate.

manek urai state seat 220509 “I was prepared to work for this by-election, and was very surprised that Umno chose me. This is a big responsibility entrusted on me and I will try and win the hearts of the people in Manek Urai. I hope to give a good fight to PAS,” he added.

“This is a PAS fortress but I will try my level best,” he stressed.

After six days of campaigning, the Umno candidate said he had witnessed a remarkable rise in support for Umno and BN.

The voters, he said, are looking for a candidate who would be able to approach them and work for them.

“This is something which I will strive to do,” he said.

On his academic credentials, Tuan Aziz said he finds it as a strength as Islam encourages a person to possess knowledge.

“It does not mean that an educated person would not be close to the public,” he added.

Asked if the Election Commission’s decision to fix polling on a working day would hinder young voters from coming to cast their ballots, he said Umno and BN would attract as many voters as it can to come out and vote.

“However, I acknowledge there is nothing much I can do as this is determined by the EC. My hope is that employers would provide leave for the staff to come back here and vote,” he said.

On the oil royalty issue, Tuan Aziz said this was something new and was surprised that it is being used as a political tool.

However, he said the people know of BN’s impeccable track record in bringing development.

“I pledge to do whatever I can to develop this area if I win,” he said, adding that BN will bring more development projects.