Former mentor and protege face off in Hulu Terengganu

GE15 | The keen battle to win the Hulu Terengganu parliamentary seat in the 15th general election (GE15) will see if the constituency’s 87,971 voters support the party or the candidate.

The incumbent, Rosol Wahid, is defending Hulu Terengganu - a BN stronghold - on a Perikatan Nasional (PN) ticket. In the last polls, he won the seat under BN.

The ex-teacher, who is also outgoing deputy domestic trade and consumer affairs minister, is seen as receiving strong opposition from his former student and Telemong assemblyperson Rozi Mamat (BN), whereby both of them have been on the same side when Rosol (above, left) was still with Umno.

Being the only Bersatu candidate in Terengganu and using the PAS logo this time around, Rosol admits that it would not be an easy task for him to defend the seat but he is grateful to have good machinery behind him, including from PAS, that will help ensure his victory.

“The people’s welfare and a development agenda that can improve the local economy are among the things I will continue to focus on if I am given the mandate in the 15th general election, InsyaAllah (God willing),” Rosol told Bernama.

His deputy minister position has also allowed Rosol to help local residents, especially in the face of rising living costs and rising prices of goods through programmes like Gerobok Prihatin in mosques around Hulu Terengganu and organising various cheap sales.

Rosol began his steps in the political arena as Ajil assemblyperson in 1999 and thereafter became member of Parliament for Hulu Terengganu in GE14, winning by 2,868 votes against PAS and PKR candidates.

Meanwhile, although GE15 is Rozi’s first experience contesting at the parliamentary level, he is no greenhorn as he was elected as Telemong assemblyperson for four terms since 2004, and previously had held the positions of chairperson of the State Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Committee, as well as the State Youth and Sports Committee.

Rozi (above, right) also has a strong influence in Hulu Terengganu and has a strategy to recapture the seat that originally belonged to BN, including trying to meet as many voters as possible in the constituency.

In addition to wanting to strengthen the education infrastructure in Hulu Terengganu to produce more intellectuals from the district, Rozi also aspires to strengthen the tourism infrastructure, especially in Tasik Kenyir, if he is given the mandate to be the MP.

“In addition to following the BN manifesto at the federal level, in the context of Umno and BN in Hulu Terengganu, I would like Lake Kenyir not only to be famous among domestic tourists but also international tourists. Besides other locations such as Kampung Belukar Bukit, which is famous for its flora and fauna and the waterfall, can also be highlighted because it will indirectly boost the economy of the people,” he said.

Besides Rosol and Rozi, Pejuang’s Mohd Khadri Abdullah and Pakatan Harapan’s Alias Ismail, also have their missions for the voters of Hulu Terengganu.

Alias, also a former teacher, told Bernama that one of the issues he will highlight is the plight of farmers in Hulu Terengganu who are facing various problems including wild animal attacks and infertile land.

“I found that the attacks of wild animals in farms in this area were not given full attention. Some crops have started to bear fruit but were damaged by wild animals such as elephants and wild boars.

“Also, there are areas where the soil is not fertile, so we need to guide farmers on effective planting methods. Knowledge is the key to progress and improving living standards, not just financial aid that is temporary,” he said.

As for Khadri, despite being labelled as an unpopular candidate when compared to his opponents, he is still enthusiastic about campaigning, especially through social media which he feels is more effective nowadays.

He also believes that it is not impossible for him to win the seat come polling day on Nov 19.

- Bernama

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