Retired Army colonel hopes to improve Al Ain public schooling through FNC candidacy

Proceedings were quiet at Al Ain’s registration centre, with about ten candidates registering on the first day.

Salem Mohammed Salem Balhuwaimel Al Ameri checks the application after registering for the Federal National Council elections at Al Ain. Satish Kumar / The National

AL AIN // Proceedings at the registration centre were quiet on Sunday as about 10 candidates put forward their names on the first day.

Each was welcomed by centre staff and directed to one of the seven registration desks.

Salem bin Huweimel Al Ameri, a 52 year old retired Army staff colonel, said his “people” across Al Ain, Abu Dhabi and Al Gharbia encouraged him to nominate himself this year.

“In Al Ain, the people are mostly talking about the health sector,” he said. “They want state-owned hospitals to be up to the standards of the large sums of money spent on them.

“They feel the doctors are not qualified enough.”

Another major concern for Mr Al Ameri is the poor English skills that students of public schools have when compared to private school students.

“The public schools student should come out fluent in English, like private school students,” he explained. “A parent would not want to spend money on a private school, but they want their children to have good skills.

“I want to be the link between my people and the government.”

He said after having retired from the Army in 2007, he has been participating in a variety of social activities.

“Some people come to my majlis so I can resolve their disputes ...”

Mr Al Ameri and the centre’s attendees stood up to salute the renowned tribe’s sheikh and prominent local business figure, Sheikh Musallam Bin Ham Al Ameri, as soon as they saw him enter the registration area.

The 37-year-old National Consultative Council of the Abu Dhabi emirate member and Bin Ham group chief executive said he wanted to serve the nation.

“There are big issues that affect nationals in the UAE and everyone in the country,” he said. “So we hope Allah would pave the way to the (Federal National) Council for whoever is beneficial to the country and people.”

He did not want to disclose the issues he plans to tackle, or has heard concerns about from the public, until it is time for his election campaign.

More on the FNC candidacy registration from the rest of the emirates:

› Gargash confident of high voter turnout, despite slow start in Abu Dhabi

› Women's voice strong in Ajman and Umm Al Quwain

› Diversity shines through in Sharjah electoral registrations

› Gargash applauds 'encouraging' female turnout for FNC candidacy registration

› Fujairah and RAK's enthusiastic candidates get in early