KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal has named his younger brother Yusof, a former Barisan Nasional stalwart, as one of the 25 candidates for the 15th General Election (GE15).
In 2018, Yusof contested Lahad Datu (then still a state seat) under a Barisan ticket but was defeated by Warisan’s Dumi Pg Masdal.
Yusof joined Warisan after the defeat but sat out the snap Sabah elections in 2020.
He will again stand in Lahad Datu, now a parliamentary seat.
“I picked him because the people there want him,” Shafie said to loud applause when announcing Warisan’s list of candidates for Sabah and Labuan at a resort here.
Shafie retained six incumbents, including himself in the Semporna seat, as well as the incumbent for Labuan, Datuk Rozman Isli.
The others who will defend their seats include Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis who will face, among others, Barisan’s Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan for Kota Belud, and Warisan vice-president Datuk Darell Leiking who will stand against Pakatan Harapan’s Datuk Ewon Benedick in Penampang.
Ma’mun Sulaiman (Kalabakan), Datuk Azis Jamman (Sepanggar) and Ahmad Hassan (Papar) will also defend their seats.
Former Unduk Ngadau beauty queen Jo-anna Sue Henley Rampas was named for Tuaran where she will again face Gabungan Rakyat Sabah’s (GRS) Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.
Former Warisan ally Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau, now standing under a Pakatan ticket, will also be standing in Tuaran.
In 2018, Rampas lost by over 1,000 votes to Bangkuai, the Parti Bersatu Sabah information chief, for the Kiulu state seat.
Rampas is among five women in the list which has a mix of professionals – ranging from lawyers and economists to environmental experts – and grassroots leaders.
The other women candidates are Siti Noorhasmahwatty Osman in Pensiangan, Rowiena Rasid in Beluran and Amanda Yeo in Kota Kinabalu, all of whom will be making their electoral debut.
Other new faces include Ahmad Mohd Said in Putatan against incumbent Awg Husaini Sahari of PKR and Barisan’s Datuk Shahelmey Yahya.
Masri Adul was named for Beaufort, Sh Bokrata Sh Hassan in Libaran while Warisan Youth chief Ismail Ayob will face Sabah Barisan chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin in Kinabatangan.
Shafie also announced that former state assistant minister Rasinin Koutis will be up against Sabah STAR president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan who will be defending the Keningau seat.
Sekong assemblyman Alias Sani was named the Batu Sapi candidate while former Information Department officer Ukim Buandi is the Tenom candidate.
Warisan had previously announced that retired diplomat Datuk Jilid Kuminding will contest in Kota Marudu, Rashid Harun in Kudat, Bongawan assemblyman Dr Daud Yusof in Kimanis, Adnan Puteh in Sipitang, Markos Siton in Ranau, Alex Thien in Sandakan and Chen Ket Chuin in Tawau.
