Kota kinabalu: Armed with a track record of delivering multi-million-ringgit road projects and fulfilling the promise of building a new secondary school, Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup is confident that these achievements will strengthen his bid to capture the Sook seat in the 17th Sabah State Election. The Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate said his three years of experience as the Member of Parliament for Pensiangan and Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security proves his capability in implementing development projects in the interior areas.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Arthur expressed his confidence during a campaign event in Kampung Kalampun, highlighting his contributions to major road projects, such as those leading to Pegalungan and Pensiangan, the Rancangan Belia Tilon road, and the access road to Kampung Karamotoi. Another significant achievement is the ongoing construction of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Dalit, which underscores his commitment to fulfilling election promises.
Arthur, who leads Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah, is contesting a state seat for the first time, facing incumbent Datuk Ellron Angin in a five-cornered race. Ellron previously secured the Sook seat with a majority of 1,232 votes. Arthur's campaign manifesto focuses on critical issues under the state government's purview, particularly land and water, which are pressing concerns in Sabah's interior regions.
Arthur pointed out that delays in village gazettement and late issuance of grants hinder villagers from improving their economic status. He also highlighted water issues in Sook, Keningau, and the broader interior zone of Sabah, emphasizing that these fall under state government jurisdiction. Arthur seeks to leverage his development record to secure a mandate at the state level, urging Sook residents to evaluate his contributions and give him the opportunity to serve them.
As the campaign approaches its final stages, Arthur emphasized the importance of a healthy campaign focused on offerings for the people, steering clear of personal attacks. He expressed hope that all candidates will maintain integrity in their efforts to win voter support. Sook, located approximately 147 kilometers from Kota Kinabalu, is an interior area within the Pensiangan parliamentary seat. Polling is scheduled for tomorrow, following early voting conducted on Tuesday.