KOTA KINABALU: A former civil servant has been named the Parti Warisan candidate for Ranau.
Markos Siton (pic), 67, who was the former director of the Human Resource Development Department, will go up against incumbent Datuk Jonathan Yasin.
Jonathan was previously from PKR and defected to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia in March 2020.
Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal made this announcement during a programme with the people of Ranau, Saturday (Oct 29).
Earlier in his speech, he reiterated calls for Sabahans to unite and not let their differences in race and religion break them apart.
He said accusations that Warisan was made up of undocumented migrants (PTI) and supporters did not make sense.
He gave examples of members and leaders including the vice-president, Datuk Junz Wong, a Chinese, deputy president Datuk Darell Leiking and secretary-general Terrence Siambun who were native Kadazandusuns, as local Sabahans.
Shafie added that there were many ethnicities in Sabah, including the Bajau people who were also local Sabahans.
On related matters, he said the various Kadazandusun Murut native-based parties in Sabah including Upko, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Sabah STAR showed how disunited the people were.
“Everyone wants to be a president,” he said.
Shafie said PBS president Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili was his friend in college, and it was disappointing that he would call Warisan an undocumented migrant party.
“Maximus, if you don't want to work with me, never mind. But don’t insult me. We went to the same school, why do you have to curse us, saying Warisan is a PTI party?” he said.
“We are Sabahans,” he added.
Shafie urged the people to vote for leaders who can help Sabah get back its rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), for the betterment of the state and its people.
