By Remy Majangkim
KOTA KINABALU: As the Sabah State Election draws near and nominations unfold today, there is anticipation in the air. The opposition, especially Warisan, seems poised to shake things up. Still, GRS remains the frontrunner.
But is GRS really the favourite?
Many Sabahans remain uncertain, their loyalties wavering as election day approaches.
The mood on the ground favours local parties championing the Sabah First spirit, leaving national coalitions and newcomers on the sidelines. The question lingers: who will emerge as the true contender?
Warisan, UPKO, and KDM.
Warisan looks formidable in the state constituencies of Banggi, Tanjung Kapor, Pitas, Darau, Karambunai, Tanjung Aru, Petagas, Kapayan, Tanjung Keramat, Bongawan, Sipitang, Api-Api, Inanam, Moyog, Liawan, Kemabong, Gum-Gum, Elopura, Karamunting, Sekong, Sukau, Segama, Silam, Tungku, Kunak, Bugaya, Senallang, Sulabayan, Balong, Merotai, Sebatik, Tanjung Batu, and Kukusan.
Warisan is contesting all 73 seats.
UPKO, which recently uprooted from Pakatan Harapan, fielded 23 candidates, with possibilities to wrestle Kadamaian, Tamparuli, Moyog and Telupid.
KDM has indicated plans to contest 40 seats and may have a fighting chance in Kundasang, Paginatan, Matunggong, Bandau, Tandek, Tulid and Melalap.
Each of the seven has its own uniqueness and circumstances.
This election will be based solely on who leads the party, not personalities.
As the lines of candidates are new and untested.
Warisan, on the other hand, has started campaigning for the last two years. Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal gathered significant respect among the people during his walkabout and political rally.
Many netizens flocked towards him, dubbing him their Chief Minister. He is the only one who would comfortably walk among the people during his speech, not relying solely on the podium. Children are drawn to his antics, puzzled by the man sitting next to him.
Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal is a great negotiator, proven with Warisan’s short stint in the government.
Under Warisan, the pursuit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 goes into overdrive and obtains 17 out of 21 demands for Pakatan Harapan 1.0 with Tun Mahathir as the Prime Minister.
They also redefine the meaning of Continental Self in the Sabah Land Ordinance back in 2018. This was never done by any sitting state government except for Warisan.
He is one of the Chief Ministers who gave up lands to the native people in Tambunan, Nabawan, and other interior areas.
Their land application was finally approved under Warisan after a long wait. Remember that he is the only Chief Minister who gave an additional state holiday on 24 December, a day before Christmas.
He surrounded himself with competent and knowledgeable people who are not paid cybertroopers, who see what he achieves by his past actions. This group of people who are experts in their own field sees that it is time for Sabah to rise up and choose Warisan as their platform.
The 17th Sabah State Election will be an important step for self-determination. Who would you like to negotiate for Sabah for our 40% constitutional right?
This is an unmissable truth: we need a competent and strong state government to urge the federal government to fulfil its pledge and responsibilities under the Malaysia Agreement.
Good luck to the nominee, and have a great campaign ahead.
