A GROWING sense of helplessness as they watched poverty stricken neighbours sell off their land led a Sabahan father-and-son team to contest in the 14th general election with the hopes of bringing change to their home.

This will be the first time Ahuar Rasam, 58, and his son Raymond, 36, are running for public office.

Raymond will be contesting as a PKR candidate for the Pensiangan parliamentary seat presently held by Joseph Kurup from Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS).

Ahuar, who will contest for the opposition Parti Warisan Sabah in the Nabawan state seat, is a pastor for the Borneo Evangelical Church in Kg Salaromtaka, 176km from Kota Kinabalu.

Nabawan, currently held by Bobbey Ahfang Suan from the United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (Upko), is one of the two state seats in Pensiangan, the other being Sook.

Ahuar said the vicious cycle of poverty in his village and the surrounding areas have led to people selling off their land to large companies for paltry sums, a practice he hopes to put to an end if he is elected.

“Pensiangan folks are constantly desperate. If their children grow up, they need to be put in school, secondary school and then university if they get a spot. So, their parents often sell off their land to provide education for them.

“That’s the only thing they can sell,” said Ahuar, a retired teacher.

A major part of the Pensiangan and Nabawan population continue to support the Barisan Nasional coalition despite the high poverty rates. 

But the lack of infrastructure, jobs and customary land issues have led to growing frustration with the ruling coalition.

Pensiangan has 31,377 voters, while Nabawan has 12,256 voters.

Ahuar said that he also hoped to “instil the culture of hard work and determination” among the young, so they can break the cycle of poverty.

“Nabawan still lacks this. They’d rather sell off their land to make ends meet, rather than toil on the soil to earn a living.

“And if I’m able to teach the young this, they can fend for themselves for life.” – May 1, 2018.