[ad_1]
SEMPORNA: The announcement of candidates for the upcoming Sabah state elections by several major parties has seen Warisan Plus roll out the incumbents in their strongholds on Sabah’s east coast.
After his clean sweep of seats in the Semporna parliamentary constituency in the 14th general election (GE14), Warisan has decided to let three incumbents defend their seats.
This will see Semporna Wanita Warisan director Manis Muka Mohd Darah competing in Bugaya, Warisan vice president Jaujan Sambakong in Sulabayan, and Shafie Apdal in Senallang.
Shafie is expected to be challenged by Norazman Utoh Nain of Perikatan Nasional (PN), who is his nephew and vice president of the Semporna PPBM division.
At GE14, Senallang saw a direct fight between Shafie and his cousin, Nasir Sakaran of Barisan Nasional (BN), with the former winning.
Contacted by Bernama, Norazman, 45, said that despite being a newcomer, he would not be intimidated by Shafie, who was previously with him at Umno.
“My father and Shafie are cousins. I call him uncle.
“I am not in a position to brag, but I am confident that InsyAllah, hard work will produce the desired result.”
In addition to Semporna, Warisan also retains his state assemblymen in the Lahad Datu parliamentary constituency: Dumi Pg Masdal (Silam), Norazlinah Arif (Kunak) and Warisan Supreme Council member Assafal P Alian (Tungku).
Another interesting development is that Lahad Datu MP and former federal minister for tourism, arts and culture Mohammadin Ketapi has been named Warisan’s candidate for Segama, one of 13 new state seats in Sabah.
Sabah political analyst Syahruddin Awg Ahmad said that strong grassroots support and family ties were the two main factors that led Warisan to retain old and tried faces.
“Voters’ sentiment (in these areas) is quite different, as they feel more comfortable having people they know as elected representatives. They will decide based on candidates, not parties.
“Furthermore, Warisan state leaders also prefer candidates who have worked with them because their established network would facilitate the work in the future,” he added.
Commenting on Barisan Nasional’s decision to present many new faces, Syahruddin said it was in response to calls from the rank and file that they wanted reform and also an attempt to breathe new life into the party.
“It is in line with the autonomy granted by the central BN,” said Syahruddin, senior lecturer in the Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Heritage at the Universiti Malaysia Sabah.
Warisan will also participate in all three state seats in the Tawau parliamentary constituency and four seats in the Kalabakan parliamentary constituency.
It will also feature candidates who lost in GE14, such as Hassan A Gani Pg Amir (Sebatik) and Andi Rus Diana Andi Paladjareng (Balung), as well as retain Kalabakan chief Sariffudin Hata as its candidate for the Merotai seat.
