Hasan still wants to serve the constituents in Kuala Pilah
KUALA PILAH, May 1 (Bernama) -- Former Malaysian Ambassador to Cambodia Datuk Seri Hasan Malek celebrated his 72nd birthday last April 24, but is not allowing his age to stop him from serving the people.
Still strong and energetic, he is on the grounds in his campaign rounds to ensure the people in Kuala Pilah continue to give their support to Barisan Nasional (BN) and ensure victory for the coalition in the 14th general election (GE14).
Hasan, a former teacher, is defending the Kuala Pilah parliamentary seat for the fourth term since the 10th general election.
"I have served the people in Kuala Pilah for three terms. I know their problems and want to continue to serve them to ensure the welfare of these people, who remained loyal to me since the 10th general election, is protected.
"When I was the ambassador, I came back every week on my own expenses to see my constituents because I´m committed to ensuring their welfare. I´m here because they voted for me, " he told Bernama in an interview here.
Hasan said since nominated for the Kuala Pilah parliamentary seat, his day began at 5 am everyday and would only be home in the wee hours the next day.
"My daily schedule is very hectic, with about 15 programmes a day, but I always make sure I have three to four hours of sleep after that, before starting a new day, to ensure I´m fit," he said.
Hasan also said he would normally take a nap in the car while going from one place to another.
"Most important is never miss your breakfast. I also take some supplements and exercise regularly, " he added.
Aware that some quarters were attempting to distract his focus on his election campaign with posting which had been viralled on the social media that the constituents in Kuala Pilah no longer wanted him, Hasan said he chose to have a big heart and regarded it as a "naughty political gimmick".
"Since the past three days of campaign, I´m happy and satisfied with the response and commitment by the party machinery from all wings, the Youth, Wanita and Puteri.
"A huge crowd turned up for nomination last Saturday and also at programmes which I attended. This reflects the people's support, but it has to be translated into votes for BN, " he said.
Hasan said his first mission after winning GE14 was to widen Jalan Seremban-Bukit Putus-Kuala Pilah, which was always congested, especially during the weekends and festive holidays.
"This is a new alignment which is now at EPU (Economic Planning Unit) . It´ll be my priority and I also want to turn Kuala Pilah into an education hub, " he said.
"In terms of public transport transformation, "I have already done it with the construction of a new building to accommodate the office of federal departments and agencies in Kuala Pilah. It is now 95 per cent ready, " he said.
The Kuala Pilah parliamentary constituency covers 09,039.58 hectares and has 49,801 voters. It has five state seats, namely Juasseh, Seri Menanti, Senaling, Pilah Johol.
Hasan will be challenged in a three-cornered fight for the Kuala Pilah parliamentary seat, namely Rafiei Mustapha, from PAS, and Eddin Syazlee Shith , of PKR-PPBM.
In the last general election, Hasan won the seat after defeating Mohd Nazree Mohd Yunus of PKR with a majority of 9,661 votes.
-- BERNAMA
