GE15: Known to young and old, PAS’ Mohd Syahir feeling buoyant in Bachok
KUALA TERENGGANU: Older voters may know him as PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang’s political secretary but to the younger generation, Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman is an economist and a regular on infotainment channel ML Studios.
The PAS candidate for the Bachok parliamentary seat is among the many presenters who share their thoughts on current issues on the platform.
“Whenever I meet youngsters or fence-sitters, they seem to know me for my involvement (with) ML Studios.
“I am not the type who makes aggressive or offensive statements, but I speak based on facts,” he said when contacted.
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Mohd Syahir, who spent about five years working for Abdul Hadi, is now embarking on a new journey to make a name for himself as a politician.
The 39-year-old has big shoes to fill as Bachok was previously under his best friend, former PAS Youth chief Nik Mohamad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect to be selected by the party’s top leadership but when I was told, and I saw the backing from Nik Abduh himself, it gave me the strength to shoulder the responsibility.
“I see it as a positive first step for me to contest in the 15th General Election (GE15),” he said.
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Mohd Syahir has outlined a five-point agenda to win over voters, among them being increasing religious awareness, pushing for academic excellence, and promoting youth and rural entrepreneurship.
“Bachok has given rise to many figures in economics, the corporate sector, and politics, and we want this to (continue).
“On youth and rural entrepreneurship, I have seen how small and medium enterprises have provided economic spillover to families and villages.
“I believe we could have more by extending access to guidance and capital aid for entrepreneurs,” he said.
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Mohd Syahir also hopes to find ways to help boost fisheries and agricultural production.
“Bachok is a very fertile area so agriculture will also be my focus as well as the fishing sector because Bachok is in a coastal area,” he added.
Mohd Syahir also intends to utilise Bachok’s many local cultural and scenic treasures to attract more tourists.
“We have our beaches, unique and diverse local culture, arts and craft, and we even have a Siamese community living in harmony among the Malay villages.
“This is some of the uniqueness that we in Bachok can offer,” he said.
In GE15, Mohd Syahir will be facing Nor Azmiza Mamat (Pakatan Harapan), Kamarul Azam Osman (Pejuang), Datuk Mohd Zain Yasim (Barisan Nasional), and former Kelantan Bersatu deputy chairman Mohd Zulkifli Zakaria, who is standing as an Independent.