Ruji Who Villagers Puzzled By Pkr S Ex Esscom Chief Pick For Merotai

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Say the name Ruji Ubi a dozen times, and the response is the same - blank faces.
Hardly anyone in Merotai seems to know who he is. A few have heard the name in passing, and that’s about it.
The former senior federal civil servant was introduced by PKR president and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as one of the party’s “new faces” to contest in a seat the party has never entered before, and locals say that could be a problem.
Ruji made his political debut in style when Anwar presented him at a Reformasi gathering in Tawau, last September.
He had taken early retirement from the civil service on June 21 this year, at 55 years old.
Merotai is a quiet pocket of Sabah’s east coast, about 30km or roughly 40 minutes from Tawau, surrounded by vast plantation estates.
Its residents are traditionally farmers and fisherfolk, though many of the younger generation now work in Bandar Tawau or as civil servants in nearby towns.
It is the kind of constituency where a politician’s reputation depends on showing up and not on their popularity.
“I don’t really know Ruji, so I can’t comment much,” said Alexius Libin, 18, a first-time voter from Kampung Iban.
“Maybe he’s got programmes through government agencies, but we seldom hear about them,” said the young father of an 18-month-old boy.
He recalled attending just one event where Ruji was featured, a small community programme handing out food aid and a lucky draw.
“After that… nothing much,” he added.
Old names still rule
Ask around, and two names come up again and again, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah’s Liew Yun Fah and Warisan’s incumbent Sarifuddin Hata.
Liew, who held the Merotai seat from 2004 to 2008 before a bust-up with Umno, is still fondly remembered for his hands-on style.
He is also the president of Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah, the only east coast-based party within the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition, one of only two party presidents from the region, the other being Warisan’s Shafie Apdal of Semporna.
But this time, Liew may not get the chance to contest, as GRS’ electoral pact with Pakatan Harapan allocated the Merotai seat to PKR, paving the way for Ruji.
Those close to Liew say he was frustrated by the decision, but felt compelled to toe the coalition line for the sake of unity within GRS.
Liew Yun FahFor many in Merotai, Liew remains the face of visible service, fixing roads, installing solar lights along once dark stretches, and leading community and health projects.
What sets him apart, villagers say, is his ability to reach everyone regardless of race or faith. 
Merotai’s diversity, a mix of Malay, Chinese, Bugis and Iban communities, is one of its quiet strengths.
Some even say Liew, a Merotai native, can speak Tidung, one of the local ethnic languages in Tawau.
Yet even when some urged voters to “choose your own kind”, Liew kept showing up for everyone.
He hosted Kaamatan and Gawai celebrations, Chinese New Year open houses, pre-dawn Ramadan wake-up drives, Hari Raya gatherings, religious talks, and business carnivals that drew thousands.
Each event, villagers say, helped unite Merotai’s people and boosted the local economy by attracting visitors from neighbouring towns.
“If Liew contests again, he can make it hard for Sarifuddin to win,” said Ramlah Salleh, a villager in Kampung Langsat.
“People here still remember what he did,” added Ramlah, who described herself as a staunch Warisan supporter.
Liew is also well-liked among Merotai’s small Iban community.
“Around here, only Liew usually shows up. He’s helped even with churches and solar lights,” said Maxcel Man, 26.
Incumbent groundwork
Sarifuddin, the sitting Warisan assemblyperson, is also remembered for practical help, zinc sheets for leaky roofs, cement for village paths, and sealing the roads in Kampung Langsat and Kampung Durian during his time in government.
Ramlah noted that many of these upgrades were carried out during the short-lived Warisan-led state government between 2018 and 2020, when Sarifuddin served as assistant finance minister.
Merotai’s 26,179 registered voters are split between generations, about a third under 30 and one in seven over 60.
Older voters stick with familiar faces, while the younger crowd scrolls TikTok from Tawau, where many now work in shops, plantations, or the civil service.
“When my roof leaked, Sarifuddin sent zinc sheets. Liew helped schools and clinics.
“But Ruji, I’ve never heard of him. People from PKR never come here. Sometimes they take photos, then disappear,” said Bahar Ambotang, 70.
Sarifuddin HataMost of Ruji’s appearances so far have been official-style events organised or promoted through the Information Department, often carrying the Communications Ministry’s logo.
Critics say this blurs the line between government duty and campaigning, particularly since Ruji only retired from the civil service earlier this year.
It remains unclear why he continues to have access to the department’s outreach network to promote his activities.
Some of these gatherings also featured lucky draws and stage shows aimed at drawing local crowds, though villagers say few left remembering the candidate himself.
Supporters, however, insist he is the real deal, a clean, capable technocrat who could one day lead Sabah’s government.
Until villagers actually meet him, Ruji’s clean-cut posters and banners will not count for much.
Chief minister-designate?
Lately, Ruji’s name has travelled further than Merotai, whispered in coffee shops and shared on WhatsApp chats as a possible chief minister designate if PKR performs well in the coming election.
Many locals have heard the same rumour, though few take it at face value.
“Yes, I’ve heard people say that Ruji might be the next chief minister. But honestly, I think it’s just talk, maybe something staged by people from Kota Kinabalu to build him up,” said Ardiansyah Hadi, 45, a small business owner in Kampung Kuala Merotai.
The rumour, he said, only made villagers curious and not convinced.
“Here, people care more about what you do, not what title you might get,” he added.
Others interviewed during the same visit echoed the sentiment, saying that while Ruji’s name now circulates, few know what he actually stands for.
While public response to his candidacy has been muted, Ruji’s credentials speak for themselves.
The Public Service DepartmentOne of the few Sabahan officers to have risen through the ranks of the federal civil service, he has held a string of senior appointments over the years, such as the Home Ministry secretary-general, Defence Ministry deputy chief secretary, Sabah Development Office director and Education Ministry secretary-general. 
He also once headed the Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) as its chief executive officer.
Crowded race ahead
The Merotai seat is shaping up for what could be a six-cornered fight.
Besides Ruji, declared contenders include PAS under the Perikatan Nasional banner, Parti Impian Sabah, and several independents who are expected to join the race.
Sabah goes to the 17th state polls on Nov 29, with nominations set for Nov 15. - Mkini

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