YAN, Oct 21 — The Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Sungai Limau state seat by-election, Dr Ahmad Sohaimi Lazim, wants to focus on educational and human capital development, among his main concerns which need to be given attention in the constituency.

He said he would give priority to these two aspects if chosen to represent the constituency by winning the by-election on Nov 4.

“Since I have experience in the academic field, I want to focus on education. I see the primary school children here rather lagging behind as there are no planned learning centres,” he said after the announcement of the BN candidate for the by-election today.

The candidacy of Ahmad Sohaimi, 52, was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also BN deputy chairman, at the BN Sungai Limau by-election operations room in Sungai Lentang, Sungai Limau, here.

Ahmad Sohaimi said if PAS continued to hold the seat, not much development could take place here as the state government and the Jerai parliamentary constituency, in which Sungai Limau is located, were under BN.

Not denying the importance of physical development, he said the Sungai Limau coastal area had the potential of being developed into an agro-tourism attraction.

“Initially, I was afraid (to contest). But because I have been long in politics, I took the opportunity to offer myself as a candidate, and I am confident I can win. I want to bring the grassroots’ voice to a higher level.”

Ahmad Sohaimi said he wanted to assist Jerai MP and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom look after the area and regarded the latter’s idea of setting up a training institute for imam as a good idea.

“With my presence here, I can also contribute ideas to Jamil Khir. Those children who are unable to study in a fully-residential school, can study at this institution with hostel facility,” he said.

The Election Commission has fixed October 23 for the nomination of candidates and November 4 for polling. The Sungai Limau seat is vacant following the death of its incumbent assemblyman Tan Sri Azizan Abdul Razak on September 26.

Ahmad Sohaimi who is originally from Kampung Titi Batu, Guar Chempedak, near here, is a senior lecturer at the Department of Social Studies, Faculty of Humanities, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris.

He has a bachelor’s degree (Hons) in Social Science from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), a master’s degree from Universiti Malaya and a PhD in Political History from USM.

He is married to Siti Bunga Ismail and they have six children.

As for his political experience, he was Kampung Titi Batu Umno branch Youth head (1982-1990), Yan/Jerai division Youth informaiton chief (1992-1995), Jerai division Youth vice-chief (1995-1997), and has been Jerai division committee member since 1992. — Bernama