KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Yusof Apdal, the younger brother of Parti Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie, is among the new faces lined up for the 25 Sabah Parliament seats.
After toppling Yusof, who was with Barisan Nasional in the 2018 elections, Shafie finally allowed for his brother to be a candidate for the east coast Lahad Datu seat.
"I have picked him because the people there want him," he said, to loud applause, when announcing his full candidates list for Sabah and Labuan at the Magellan Sutera on Thursday (Nov 3).
He retained all seven incumbent Sabah and Labuan MPs, including his own Semporna seat, Kota Belud’s Munirah Majilis, and Penampang’s Datuk Darell Leiking.
Former native Unduk Ngadau beauty queen Joanna Sue Rampas will be placed in Tuaran to take on Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS-PBS) Datuk Joniston Bangkuai and Pakatan Harapan’s Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau.
Rampas is among five women named in a list where Shafie unveiled a mix of professionals ranging from lawyers, economists and environmental experts to grassroots leaders.
The list of other candidates include Labuan incumbent Datuk Rozman Isli, Ahmad Mohd Said (Putatan), Beaufort - Masri Adul,Pensiangan - Siti Noorhasmahwatty Osman, Beluran - Rowiena Rasid, Libaran - Sh Bokrata Sh Hassan, Batu Sapi - Alias Sani (sekong assemblyman), Kinabatangan - Ismail Ayob Kalabakan incumbet Ma’mun Sulaiman.
Rasinin Koutis has been announced as the Keningau candidate and Ukim Buandi, Tenom.
Additionally, Jamil Hamzah was named the Bugaya state seat candidate.