BELURAN, Sept 23 -- Resolving issues relating to the constituency’s development and upgrading the people’s socio-economic status will be the focus of Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Samad Jambri@Jamri if he wins the Labuk seat in the 16th Sabah state election.

Labuk, located about 90 km from Sandakan, is one of the three state seats, besides Sugut and Telupid (new seat), under the Beluran parliamentary constituency.

Samad, 47, of Bersatu said the people’s socio-economic status could be upgraded if planning is done in a more targeted and organised manner.

“It will be difficult for us to change the development landscape here if the community’s economic resources are not improved; hence our main focus is to ensure the economic sector is upgraded first,” he told Bernama after a gathering with the people here.

Affectionately known as Erick among the constituents, Samad, who is political secretary to Agriculture and Food Industries Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee, said the area’s tourism, downstream marine products industry and agriculture had the potential to develop.

However, he said, it could only be done if the state government is aligned with the PN-led federal government.

“That is why I believe the voters will be able to think which candidate is more friendly with the federal government for them to choose because of the considerable need for development,” he said.

Samad is involved in a five-cornered fight against Dennis Tweening Rantau (Warisan Plus-UPKO), Sh Shuhaimi Sh Miasin (USNO), incumbent assemblyman Abdul Rahman Kongkawang (Independent) and Fidelis K Michael (PCS). 

In the 14th general election, Abdul Rahman, who was contesting under a PBS ticket, won the seat in a five-cornered contest, with a majority of 2,600 votes.

-- BERNAMA