Jerai youths want BN to stay
By Nurrul Huda Ahmad Lutfi
YAN, April 27 (Bernama) -- The youths in Jerai parliamentary constituency pin their hopes that the Barisan Nasional (BN) will continue to win the seat and administer the state government in ensuring more development in the area, and that their welfare will be taken care of.
A check by Bernama revealed that most of the youth associations in the constituency wanted further development and other benefits for the locals, in addition to being comfortable with the current elected representatives from the coalition as they had been approachable for any kind of assistance involving issues affecting the youths.
Malaysian Association of Youth Clubs (MAYC) Jerai Chapter chairman Mohd Hafiz Abu Hassan said incumbent Jerai Member of Parliament (MP) Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom had been an approachable leader and the go-to person to listen to any problem regarding the group.
"(In fact,) Datuk Seri Jamil Khir has channeled the aid for youth association administration. So are other assistance related to education. For instance, if people want to send their children to university but they do not have cars, they can come to borrow a van which is meant for the use of the Jerai parliamentary (office)," he said recently.
Apart from that, Mohd Hafiz said Jamil Khir, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, had been giving attention to the development of sports infrastructure as there was a plan to build a mini stadium in Kampung Keda, Sungai Udang here, and not to mention the completed youth skills training centre, GiatMARA Jerai.
"All of these will benefit the young people in the constituency from the aspect of sports as well as the need to improve the level of education and skills."
"We, the youths and young people of the Jerai parliamentary constituency are all behind Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom as the MP, division chief and minister," he said.
Concurring with Mohd Hafiz's views, Yan District Youth Council chairman Yan Razeff Shardin Mat Rejab said the role of the BN, as could be seen from the work of the elected representative, had indeed given a good impact to the constituents including the youths.
"The sports complex (mini stadium) project in Kampung Keda as announced by KJ (Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin) last February will be beneficial to all."
"All of these are highly appropriate for the development of Yan as a tourist district... So, I hope that the Jerai parliamentary constituency will continue to be under the leadership of BN," he said.
Yan Razeff Shardin said he was drawn to the RM226 million road extension project from the North-South Expressway (PLUS) in Gurun to Pulau Bunting and the construction of the Jerai Floating Mosque at Pantai Murni here worth RM18 million, as it could further boost tourism activities in the district and encourage the youths to generate additional income through business.
Also to be proposed in the future would be a recreational area for the youths and parents such as jogging track and children's playground, he said.
In fact, Razeff Shardin said incumbent Guar Chempedak state assemblyman Datuk Dr Ku Abdul Rahman Ku Ismail had been very supportive of the council's various programmes financially and in spirit.
Meanwhile, Jerai 4B Youth chairman Mahadzir Muhamad Radhi said Jamil Khir had always been focusing on the needs of the youths as the latter had been approachable when giving his support on matters pertaining to employment, education or business aid.
"He is also generous in helping the villagers. He would come out with financial assistance to help those with children who wanted to go to university when they could not afford that. However, these people must bring the offer letter as proof to avoid cheating," he said.
On April 24, Kedah BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah, who is also State Menteri Besar, announced Jamil Khir as the Jerai Parliamentary seat candidate in the 14th General Election.
-- BERNAMA
