SANDAKAN: The legacy of former chief minister Tun Musa Aman in Sabah, particularly in Sandakan, is something Hazem Mubarak Musa believes could give him an advantage as he enters the N51 Sungai Manila race under Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.
Hazem, the Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah Sungai Manila division chief, said he hopes to build on the goodwill and development linked to his father while carving his own path in public service.
"Yes, of course I want to continue his legacy. If you look at when he was Chief Minister, there were certainly many developments during his time as an elected representative.
"For me, I just want to serve. When I entered politics, he told me that if I go into politics, I must work for the people. The most important thing is to listen to the people and defend their welfare. That was the advice he gave me," he said.
He said his father, now the Sabah Head of State, cannot be involved in politics, but the values and discipline emphasised throughout his upbringing continue to guide how he approaches leadership.
"I want to be part of it and contribute to the community and the people of Sungai Manila," he said.
Hazem said this when met by reporters during his visit to the Sabah Election Media Centre on Monday (Nov 17).
He said long-standing water supply problems remain the main concern among Sungai Manila residents, noting the issue predates the current administration and has been inherited over many years.
He said resolving the water problem would be one of his main priorities if elected, with plans to identify the root cause and escalate it to the relevant authorities.
Hazem also said more opportunities are needed for local youths, many of whom hold degrees and technical skills but struggle to find suitable jobs.
Targeted skill-matching and training programmes would be introduced to prepare them for available employment.
He said his three years of engaging the community as Gagasan Rakyat division chief has given him a clearer understanding of the challenges residents face and the urgency of addressing them.
He said voters will ultimately assess candidates based on sincerity and commitment.
"Whether the previous representative performed or not, that is for the people to decide. What matters is what we can offer and how we can serve," he said.
In 2020, the new state constituency N51 Sungai Manila was created and contested for the first time.
The seat was won by Datuk Mokran Ingat from Barisan under the broader Gabungan Rakyat Sabah coalition.
