Kota Kinabalu: Roads and basic infrastructure in Paginatan will be the top priority for Parti KDM candidate, Datuk Rusdin Riman who says rural villagers have endured decades of poor connectivity that now requires immediate government intervention.
Rusdin, who is contesting Paginatan, said many kampung roads remain impassable, hindering agriculture, mobility and access to essential services.
“Infrastructure, especially village roads, is the most urgent and critical issue in Paginatan.
“Some places can still only be reached by four-wheel-drive and in certain areas, we still cannot cross due to broken bridges. These problems must no longer be ignored,” he said.
Rusdin described Paginatan as a large agricultural zone where villagers heavily rely on road links to transport produce, including rubber, palm oil and food crops.
“Ranau is an agricultural district, and people need proper roads to bring out their products. Connectivity determines their income,” he added.
Rusdin, a former senior civil servant with over 40 years of experience, previously served as Permanent Secretary of the Finance Ministry, district officer, and senior officer in several state departments, including Forestry, Water, and Agriculture.
“I have served the State for 41 years, and I know the machinery of government inside out. Now I want to use that experience to serve the people of Paginatan,” he said.
Rusdin unveiled five practical manifesto pillars, symbolised by the Rafflesia’s five petals – the emblem of Parti KDM – and aligned with the five principles of the Rukun Negara.
His first and strongest pledge is to accelerate the upgrading of kampung roads, electricity, and water supply.
“These programmes are already underway at the government level, but they must be expedited. The people have waited long enough,” he said.
He noted that Sabah is still “20 years behind” Peninsular Malaysia in educational development.
“Our schools here look the same after 20 or even 30 years. Meanwhile, schools in the peninsula evolve so fast that when we return to visit, we hardly recognise them,” he said.
“Our children deserve the same educational opportunities.”
Recalling his childhood, Rusdin said Ranau once had only one hospital and one doctor. Although the situation has improved, specialist services remain inaccessible.
“Now we have more clinics and doctors, but for critical illnesses we still have to send patients to Kota Kinabalu, Keningau or Sandakan,” he said.
“Ranau must be equipped with modern medical facilities so that critical patients can be treated here.”
Rusdin also emphasised women’s participation in education and the workforce.
“More than 50 to 60 per cent of our university students are women,” he said. “But when they get married, many face constraints. We must create opportunities so they can continue to build their careers while managing their families.”
He pledged to support the national anti-corruption agenda and improve integrity in both politics and the civil service.
“We want zero corruption in the public service. Every opportunity for corruption must be closed,” he said.
“The people are watching. Whether allegations are true or not, we must ensure the system does not allow misuse of power.”
He added that ADUNs and BPMs must be fully accountable to the rakyat and visible on the ground.
