Land, Agricultural Issues Top GRS Candidate Ghani’s Agenda In Nabawan

By Syed Iylia Hariz Al-Qadri Syed Izman

PENSIANGAN, Nov 27 (Bernama) -- Land issues and agricultural development will remain the focus of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) candidate Datuk Ghani Abdul Yassin if he retains the Nabawan seat in the 17th Sabah State Election.

Ghani said resolving overlapping land claims, lot surveying and the issuance of individual titles had been among key items on his agenda throughout the previous term, with more than 60 per cent of related issues settled in the last five years.

He said the success has paved the way for greater economic development for rural communities, particularly through the agricultural sector.

“If land issues are not resolved, efforts to improve the local economy will not progress. That is why we brought government agencies here to explore joint ventures in crops that can generate income for rural communities,” he told Bernama recently.

According to Ghani, the initiative is further strengthened through the establishment of collection centres so that oil palm and cash crops can be sold at market prices, without middlemen taking advantage.

Ghani said the approach stems from detailed planning with agencies such as the Sabah Land Development Board (SLDB), which he previously chaired, to expand large-scale cultivation projects and reinforce income-enhancement programmes for residents.

“The remaining 40 per cent of issues are extremely difficult to resolve. For example, the introduction of communal grants during the Barisan Nasional administration was later abolished by the Warisan government without a comprehensive study,” he said.

Ghani is optimistic about defending the Nabawan seat despite facing a nine-cornered contest, citing strong support from Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) in Nabawan.

“Almost all committee members and members of STAR support me as the GRS candidate here. They prepared a memorandum to reaffirm their support for the initiatives we have carried out for the community in Nabawan,” he said.

Acting STAR Nabawan division chief Ami Talu and several other party leaders accompanied Ghani during campaigning in several villages in Nabawan and Pensiangan.

Ghani reminded the party machinery to avoid disagreements throughout the campaign period, saying elections should not divide the community.

In the last state election, Ghani won the Nabawan seat with a majority of 2,238 votes in a four-cornered fight.

He described the more intense contest this time as part of the democratic process and the dynamic nature of politics.

Located about 176 kilometres from Kota Kinabalu, the Nabawan seat is one of the interior areas under the Pensiangan parliamentary constituency.

There are 23,379 registered voters in Nabawan.

For the latest news on the 17th Sabah State Election, visit https://prn.bernama.com/sabah/index.php

-- BERNAMA