NEWLY-elected Labuan MP Datuk Dr Suhaili Abd Rahman, who contested the seat under the Perikatan Nasional ticket in the 15th General Election (GE15), has pledged to lead the island through economic uncertainties and regain its glory.
Suhaili, 61, had previously served as Labuan MP for two terms, having won in the 1999 and 2004 general elections.
He pledged to bring an end to issues plaguing the island.
“The people have witnessed the slowdown of economic activities on this duty-free island, the rising unemployment rate and the number of business closures, which are worrying.
“Now is the time for us to look ahead and revive the glory of Labuan as an attractive duty-free island as well as a viable economic destination.
“I must work hard to restore the trust of the people and I am not daunted.
“I hope to live up to people’s expectations,” he said in an interview with Bernama.Suhaili said that decades of water and power supply disruptions, which had become a norm, must be resolved.
The former Labuan Corporation chairman said the RM86mil Labuan Halal Hub, which had become a white elephant project, would be revived to generate economic activity and create employment opportunities.
Suhaili, who is a Bersatu supreme council member, recaptured the Labuan parliamentary seat after defeating Datuk Bashir Alias of Barisan Nasional by a 708-vote majority.
He obtained 8,124 votes compared with 7,416 votes garnered by Bashir.
The results were announced by Election Commission returning officer Yusup Mohamad at the vote tallying centre at Labuan Matriculation College.
Voter turnout was 64.66%, with 28,449 out of the 44,484 registered voters casting their ballots.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
