KOTA KINABALU, Nov 5 — The completion of the nomination process today confirmed that several party leaders in the state will be defending their parliamentary seats in the 15th general election (GE15) in Sabah.
Among them are Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin who will defend his Kinabatangan seat, Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Semporna), Sabah Pakatan Harapan (Harapan) chairman Sabah Datuk Christina Liew (Tawau), United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) president Datuk Seri Madius Tangau (Tuaran), Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili (Kota Marudu) and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan (Keningau).
Bung Moktar, who has been the incumbent of Kinabatangan seat for five terms since 1999, said he was confident he could retain the seat based on the response from the local community and well-coordinated operations by the election machinery of BN and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
“The Warisan candidate (Mazliwati Abdul Malek) and I are no strangers. We are actually related. So I’m confident that there will be no untoward incidents. The party’s election machinery has also been advised to always uphold the principles of democracy,” he told reporters after the nomination process at Dewan Sri Lamag here today.
Mazliwati, who is a first-time candidate, on the other hand, said as much as she respected Bung Moktar, she would try her level best to win the election by organising her campaign professionally in line with the principles of democracy.
Meanwhile, Mohd Shafie who is in a four-cornered fight to defend his seat of six terms, advised all Warisan candidates not to cause disharmony or abuse the platform as election candidates to defame and insult others.
Mohd Shafie is challenged by Arastam Pandorog (Harapan-Keadilan), Nixon Abdul Habi (GRS-Bersatu), and Ab Razik @ Ab Rajak Ab Hamid (Pejuang).
As for Harapan, Liew said while remaining free from corruption and abuse of power, Harapan wants to reassure that the party’s vision for stability, integrity and good governance remains strong.
Liew, who won the Tawau seat in GE14 in 2018 under Harapan-Keadilan and in GE7 in 1986 with PBS, is in a six-cornered fight against Lo Su Fui (GRS-PBS), Chen Ket Chuin (Warisan), Herman Amdas (Pejuang), and two independent candidates namely Chin Chee Syn and Mohd Salleh Bacho.
Madius, on the other hand, described himself as an underdog in his bid to defend his Tuaran seat, which he had held for four terms.
So much so, he said the contest, especially against PBS Infomation chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai representing GRS, is like ‘fighting a giant’.
“We are just underdog. Whatever the people’s aspiration is, that’s what we are fighting for,” he said.
Apart from Joniston (GRS-PBS), Madius is also challenged by Jo-Anna Sue Henly Rampas (Warisan), Muminin Norbinsha (Pejuang), and two Independent candidates – Boby Lewat and Noortaip Suhaili @ Sualee.
In the State Election in 2020, Joniston defeated Madius in the contest for the Kiulu state seat with a 1,121-vote majority.
Meanwhile, Joniston said the stability of government is very important to ensure that all plans will be implemented and that stability is not only needed at the state level but also at the federal level.
“We already have a stable government in Sabah, so of course, we would like to see a stable government at the federal level too because political and economic stability is very important,” he said.
— Bernama
