Sabah Polls: Prominent figures prove they are still influential

KUALA LUMPUR: The 16th Sabah State Election yesterday saw many of the state’s prominent political figures prove that they are still influential when they won their respective seats despite intense competition.

The return of some of these prominent figures is set to spice up the Sabah political scene and is further proof that they still have the trust of the people to be their voice.

Among those to steal the show was Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate from UMNO for the Usukan seat, Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak, who returned to contest the seat he used to hold for three terms and it turns out that he’s still “lethal”.

The former Communications and Multimedia Minister won this election with a 4,298 majority in the three-cornered fight against former teacher Abdul Bahkrin Mohd Yusof (Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan)) and Datu Mohd Nazaruddin Datu Tiga Belas (Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS).

Salleh is the son of former Sabah Chief Minister and Yang Dipertua Negeri and he later followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming the state’s ninth CM from 1994 to 1996.

Another person to also steal the spotlight was the Warisan candidate for Segama, Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi, who polled 4,864 votes to win an eight-cornered fight.

Mohamaddin, who is also the former Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, won by a 2,168-vote majority, with his closest contender being Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Aljen Johnny of Bersatu, who gained 2,696 votes.

Although embroiled in controversy a few days before the election, Mohamaddin, who is also the Lahad Datu Division chief, managed to soldier on and convince the people en route to winning the seat.

Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, meanwhile, managed to defend his Senallang seat with a 4,631 majority despite the challenge of four other candidates.

He was faced with Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate, also his nephew Norazman Utoh Nain, D Pg Ahmad Datu Ali Alam (Parti Perpaduan Rakyat Sabah), Mohammad Ramzan Abdul Wahab (USNO)) and Madjalis Lais (PCS).

Mohd Shafie retained the seat after garnering 6,363 votes defeating Norazman who polled 1,732 votes, Mohammad Ramzan (61), Madjalis (51) while D Pg Ahmad only managed 39 votes.

Mohd Shafie the incumbent Senallang assemblyman defeated BN candidate, Datuk Seri Nasir Sakaran with a majority of 5,301 votes in the last 14th general election.

Senallang has 14,336 registered voters.

Meanwhile, another Warisan candidate Datuk Darell Leiking, won the Moyog seat with a huge majority of 5,935 votes when he defeated PN candidate Joe Suleiman who obtained 2,502 votes.

The former International Trade and Industry Minister polled 8,437 votes in the seven-cornered contest.

Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who contested for the Tambunan seat under the PN logo won with 8,691 votes.

Jeffrey who is also Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture defeated Sylvernus Bruno of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Damian Richard Marcus Podtung (PCS), Datuk Dr Laurentius Nayan Ambu (UPKO)), Nordin Jaini@Zaini (GRS) and Jimmy Palikat (Independent).

Datuk Abd Ghani Mohd Yassin also representing STAR won the Nabawan seat with 2,238 vote majority having polled 4,688 votes in the four-cornered fight. Nabawan has 12,466 registered voters.

The Sabah election also saw the participation of 72-year-old former Sabah Chief Minister Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat (Inanam), son of USNO founder Amir Kahar Tun Datu Mustapha (Banggi), former Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia (Pintasan), PCS president Datuk Seri Anifah Aman (Bongawan) and UPKO president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau (Kiulu).

However, luck was not on their side as they lost in their respective areas.

-- BERNAMA