Sabah BN counting on Musa 'magic touch' yet again

Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) is once again counting on the 'magic touch' of Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman to steer the transformation team to victory in the May 5 general election.

In the 2008 general election, Musa led Sabah BN to a resounding victory by sweeping 59 of 60 state assembly seats and 24 of 25 parliamentary seats.

Musa will defend Sungai Sibuga state seat, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Tan Sri Pairin Kitingan will defend Keningau parliamentary seat and Tambunan state seat while Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO) president Tan Sri Benard Dompok will defend Penampang parliamentary seat.

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president Datuk VK Liew will defend Sandakan parliamentary seat, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) president Tan Sri Joseph Kurup will defend Pensiangan parliamentary seat, Sabah MCA chairman Datuk Edward Khoo will defend Kapayan state seat while Gerakan vice-president Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah will contest Tanjung Papat state seat.

It becomes more interesting with the return of two seasoned Sabah politicians.

Former Sabah chief minister Datuk Salleh Tun Said will contest Usukan state seat while UPKO secretary-general Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau was named for Tuaran parliamentary seat.

Salleh, the Sabah State Assembly Speaker, gave way to Sabah BN secretary Datuk Rahman Dahlan to contest Kota Belud parliamentary seat in the 2008 general election.

In addition to leaders of BN component parties, Sabah BN will field several new faces to lead the party's challenge in an effort to get a strong mandate from the people.

Among them are Datuk Yusof Apdal, brother of Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie who will contest Lahad Datu state seat, Sepangggar Umno division chief Datuk Jumat Idris (Sepanggar/parliamentary) Sabah BN Youth secretary Mohamad Alamin (Bongawan/state), Beaufort Umno division acting chief Isnin Aliasneh (Klias/state), Beluran Umno division chief Datuk James Ratib (Sugut/state) and Political Secretary to Mohd Shafie, Datuk Jaujan Sambakong (Sulayan/state).

The others are Sabah Journalists Association (SJA) president Datuk Joniston Bangkuai (Kiulu/state), LDP Youth chief Chin Shu Ying (Likas/state), LDP supreme council member Charles Pang Su Pin (Karamunting/state), UPKO Youth chief Keningau Kennedy Jie John @ Kenn (Bingkor/state), Limus Jury (Kuala Penyu/state), former teacher Datuk Mary Yap Kain Ching (Tawau/parliamentary) while Fung Len Fui will contest Sri Tanjong state seat last won by the DAP.