Hanifah (right) gives the thumbs-up as she poses for a group photo with the five other BN women candidates for GE14 (from left) Rita Sarimah Patrick Insol, Rubiah Wang, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim and Kho Teck Wan. — Photo by Kong Jun Liung
KUCHING: Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for Mukah Datuk Hanifah Hajar Taib has pledged to work closely with elected representatives of Dalat, Tellian and Balingian state constituencies if elected.
The 46-year-old, who is one of the new faces fielded by the ruling coalition for the upcoming 14th general election (GE14), said she will give her best to serve the people in the parliamentary constituency.
“I’ve always sought guidance from God to give me the strength and ability to serve and give my best to the rakyat and look after them.
“To do so, I will work together with the state elected representatives under Mukah parliamentary constituency; namely Dalat assemblywoman Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah, Tellian assemblyman Yussibnosh Balo and Balingian assemblyman Abdul Yakub Arbi to safeguard the people’s interests,” she told reporters when met after receiving her letter of appointment to contest in GE14 from Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg at PBB headquarters here yesterday.
Present to witness the handing over of the letters of appointment were deputy chief ministers Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas and Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and BN Sarawak secretary-general Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi.
Hanifah, who is the youngest daughter of Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, will be replacing Mukah incumbent Tan Sri Muhammad Leo Toyad who has served as MP for the constituency since 1982.
Though she grew up in politics, Hanifah admitted that she does feel a bit of pressure to do well.
“There is pressure but don’t forget that this is the first time I’m going into politics. So I apologise if I may not be aware of all political aspects and I hope that my political compatriots can be patient and give some guidance to me,” she said, adding that she is committed to learn from experienced leaders in order to become a good representative herself.
She also hoped that come polling day on May 9, the people will choose the right candidate to bring change for their betterment.