Five reps who switched loyalties fielded


Hard at work: A worker putting up party flags and poster. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/ The Star
KOTA KINABALU: Out of the 16 assemblymen who switched their allegiance to former Sabah chief minister Tan Sri Musa Aman and triggered the dissolution of the Sabah state assembly in late July, only five have been fielded by political parties.

The four politicians are Datuk James Ratib, Datuk Limus Jury, Datuk Abidin Madingkir and Datuk Muis Picho who will be defending their seats in Sugut, Kuala Penyu, Paginatan and Sebatik respectively.

Kemabong incumbent assemblyman Jamawi Jaafar will be contesting for Umno in Melalap, which is adjacent to his former seat.

James and Jamawi have rejoined Umno while Limus and Muis are with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and Abidin with Sabah STAR.

Another six assemblymen are running as Independents defending their seats.

Kenny Chua, Datuk Anita Baranting, Datuk Saddi Abd Rahman, Datuk Musbah Jamli, Abdul Rahman Kangkawang and Datuk Masiung Banah now stand as Independents as they try to win back support from their constituents in Inanam, Tandek, Sukau, Tempasuk, Labuk and Kuamut respectively.

Datuk Bolkiah Ismail, Datuk Hamisa Samad and Datuk Osman Jamal, who represented Pitas, Tanjung Batu and Balung respectively, were not defending their seats.

Ronnie Loh and Jaffari Waliam, formerly of DAP and PKR respectively, are also not contesting in the polls.

In July, Musa declared that he had 33 assemblymen in the 60-seat state assembly to form the state government with the support of the 16 assemblymen.

His attempt to return to the chief minister’s post failed after his successor Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal submitted a letter to governor Tun Juhar Mahiruddin requesting to dissolve the state assembly, who later issued a proclamation to call a state election.

Musa, who with 32 other assemblymen failed in his attempt to stop the dissolution of the assembly, was dropped from the list of candidates in the state election set for Sept 26.

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