MEROTAI, TAWAU, SABAH, MALAYSIA Nov 12, 2025 – More than 55 years after his birth in a small village in the Merotai District, Datuk Ruji Ubi has returned to his roots by contributing to the development of a mosque in his hometown, which now serves as the lifeblood of the local community.
In his personal note titled “Old Memories, Not a Newcomer (Series 7)”, the Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Merotai State Legislative Assembly (DUN) and former Secretary General of the Ministry of Home Affairs shares an emotional experience about the construction of Masjid As-Sholihin in Kampung Haji Matahir, completed in 2019.
“As a native son of the village, I am deeply grateful to have contributed and overseen its construction until completion,” wrote Datuk Ruji, describing the mosque as a “remedy for longing” during his time away on duties across various parts of the country while serving as a civil servant in Putrajaya.
The construction project, costing approximately RM330,000, was carried out with a spirit of mutual cooperation and consensus among villagers, local contractors, and government entities. Although the cost is considered modest, Datuk Ruji emphasized its profound emotional value as it was built with “love, responsibility, and collective effort.”
Today, Masjid Haji Matahir stands proudly with a spacious, air-conditioned prayer hall that is always bustling with worshippers. It is not just a place of worship but also a vital community hub: where children learn to recite the Quran, elders gather, and religious knowledge is passed down across generations.
“For me, it is not merely the fulfillment of official duties as a government officer. It is more than that – a homecoming journey, a village son trying to spread a bit of devotion on his birthplace’s soil,” he added, describing the satisfaction of seeing the mosque stand firm on the same land that welcomed his birth as something “indescribable in words.”
This note also reflects Datuk Ruji’s philosophy on development: “True development must give meaning to the community and become the pulse of our lives.” He reminds that every experience leaves traces that shape our identity, while dreaming of a brighter future for Merotai without losing its essence.
“Insya-Allah, we will strive together,” concludes his note, which appears as a call to residents to continue building the district.
As the PH candidate for DUN Merotai, Datuk Ruji’s series of personal notes is seen as an effort to connect with voters by highlighting past experiences and commitment to rural development. He previously shouldered significant responsibilities at the Ministry of Home Affairs, including overseeing various national development initiatives.
