PH Candidate Azman Vows To Leverage Putrajaya Experience To Improve Services In Paya Rumput

MELAKA, Nov 10 (Bernama) -- Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Paya Rumput seat, Datuk Azman Abidin, is determined to leverage his extensive experience in Putrajaya to deliver better services and development for residents if elected in the Melaka state election.

Azman said his campaigning activities had revealed several pressing needs among residents, including the absence of a public open hall, which had forced them to rely on suraus and schools to host community programmes and activities.

He said his close ties with the federal government, as the Political Secretary to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, would help facilitate access to allocations for upgrading public infrastructure, including the construction of an open hall.

"My position is not merely a platform to help resolve problems in Paya Rumput, but also an opportunity to bring about comprehensive changes in various aspects.

"I will make full use of my experience and access for the benefit of the people of Paya Rumput in particular and Melaka in general, as Paya Rumput is located in the heart of the state. What happens in Paya Rumput will also have an impact on Melaka as a whole," he said.

Azman, who has more than 20 years of political experience, said he also hoped to serve as a bridge between the federal and state governments, stressing that close cooperation between both administrations was essential to resolving public issues.

"Regardless of who wins in Melaka, if I am elected in Paya Rumput, cooperation between the federal government and the state administration will be necessary. Without it, it will be difficult to get things done," he said.

Meanwhile, to strengthen local small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Azman plans to bring federal agencies directly to entrepreneurs in Paya Rumput to help them better understand available facilities, including grants, financial assistance and relevant skills training.

He said regular exhibitions, possibly held every six months, could also provide opportunities for entrepreneurs to engage directly with the relevant agencies.

"Insya-Allah, this is something I can help facilitate. We will bring agencies involved in SME development to the area to expose entrepreneurs to the opportunities available," he said.

Azman added that continuous training provided by the agencies could help improve the quality of local products, particularly in branding and packaging.

"Products such as dodol and cencaluk have the potential to be marketed beyond Melaka. We will explore how more creative packaging can attract buyers to products they are already familiar with," he said.

The Paya Rumput state constituency will see a three-cornered contest involving Azman, Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Rafie Ahmad and Abdul Rashid Abu Bakar of Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama).

The Election Commission (EC) has set Nov 14 as polling day, while early voting is being held today.

For the latest updates on the 16th Melaka state election, visit https://election.bernama.com/prn/melaka/2026/.

-- BERNAMA