Hasan Arifin the right man for Rompin by-election

ROMPIN: The choice of Rompin Umno division acting chief Datuk Hasan Arifin as Barisan Nasional's (BN) candidate for Rompin by-election on May 5 meets the aspiration of voters who want a local to represent them.
Hasan, 63, is not an unfamiliar name to locals as he was Rompin Umno division chief in 1986 and brought much progress to the parliamentary constituency.
These include the ​​Paya Laka Padi Project (4,451.4ha) at Kampung Sepayang, Kuala Rompin and the padi project in Paya Setajam, Kampung Setajam (6,070ha).
As such, it was no surprise that Hasan was the choice of locals when the Rompin seat fell vacant following the death of the incumbent, Tan Sri Jamaluddin Jarjis in a helicopter crash on April 4.
Hasan is a big name in Pahang politics having been the Deputy Mentri Besar from 1995 to 1999 and was responsible for many development projects including the Gebeng industrial area.
He also played an important role in making a success of the East Coast Expressway (ECE) project and the expansion of Kuantan Port.
Hasan joined Umno in 1976 and was appointed Pekan Umno division committee member two years later.
He rose to become Pekan Umno division Youth chief in 1984 before switching to Rompin Umno division in 1986 also as Youth chief.
Hasan was elected Rompin Umno division chief from 1990-2004, Bukit Ibam state assemblyman and appointed a State Executive Councillor.
He also served as Pahang Agriculture Development Corporation chairman and Felda board member.
A graduate in Bachelor of Economics from University of Malaya (UM), Hasan also attended a management course at the Asian Institute Of Management in Manila, the Philippines. – Bernama