ABU DHABI // Even with a demanding job heading Dubai’s Real Estate Regulatory Agency, Marwan bin Ghalita still had time to run for a seat on the Federal National Council.
After an unsuccessful bid in 2006 for the country’s first election, Mr bin Ghalita came up with what eventually became a winning strategy.
“In 2006 I came 10th, which was not bad,” he said. But he was determined to win the next time out.
With a wider network of friends and the growing popularity of social media, Mr bin Ghalita did not find it difficult to spread his message. He would run for the people.
“My campaign was run with the help of UAE nationals,” he said. “We had a strategy. I would advertise in a space on the front page of Al Bayan and Emarat Al Youm simply because it was actually cheaper than other spaces.”
Mr bin Ghalita’s advert had a simple message: Emiratis will be his first and foremost concern. His message was evident once he made it to the FNC. Despite a challenging first year, moving from chief executive of Rera to just one of 40 FNC members who raised his hand humbly awaiting his turn to speak, Mr bin Ghalita has become one of the council’s stronger voices.
The past three years he has been among the few members to question the Government, particularly on issues related to national development and sustainability.
“Although I do not have a background in law, I was keen to join the council’s law and legislative committee to ensure the country’s legislations had nationals’ best interest at play.”
Unlike many whose motivation waned over the course of the three years, Mr bin Ghalita remains driven, making some of the more urgent demands in the council. Some requests passed on to him touched on sensitive issues but he did not shy away from taking a stand.
“The issue of giving children of Emirati mothers citizenship was one,” he said, adding it took courage to raise the issue with Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.
“The meeting was closed, the decree was already out, but many had called me to follow up on this. Thankfully, we received good news from the minister. He was following through the matter himself.”
Another courageous moment was when he urged Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to make greater efforts to grant Emiratis visa-free travel. During a meeting in May, Sheikh Abdullah hinted that good news was on its way.
“When you meet people asking these things, you are motivated by them and their needs,” he said.
Mr bin Ghalita is undecided about running in the next election. One thing is certain, though, juggling his jobs has not been easy.
“I struggled,” he said. “You need to go the extra mile as to not fall short at either job. Family and friends have been a great support for me.”
One of his sons is a staunch supporter. When the boy was 9, during the 2011 elections, he insisted on joining his dad on election day because he knew “my dad will win”.
osalem@thenational.ae
