GE15: Hajiji gives full backing to Tenom BN candidate amid Balang controversy

KOTA KINABALU: Barisan Nasional’s Tenom candidate Jamawi Jaafar has received the full support of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

This comes after Riduan Rubin, the son of GRS’ Kemabong assemblyman Datuk Rubin Balang, filed papers to contest as an Independent there.

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Hajiji, who is Sabah Chief Minister, made it clear to voters that only a candidate from the GRS-Barisan government would be endorsed as his victory in GE15 also meant a win for the ruling alliance.

“This young man (Jamawi) is the right choice and should be given a chance to represent the people in Tenom, to give voice to their aspirations and hopes,” he said during a ceramah in Kemabong on Thursday (Nov 17).

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“I have full confidence in him. He is the choice of the state government and I will only support candidates from the government, not from the Opposition, not from Warisan, not from Pakatan Harapan and not Independent candidates,” he said.

Riduan's candidacy led Sabah Barisan chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin to call for action by GRS against Rubin, who then denied helping his son in campaigning.

The others gunning for the MP seat in Tenom are Pakatan Harapan’s Noorita Sual, Parti Warisan’s Ukim Buandi and another Independent, Peggy Chaw Zhi Ting.

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Hajiji said Tenom has huge potential in the agriculture and tourism sectors, and so a capable MP was needed to represent the people and fight for what the constituency needed.

At another event in Pensiangan, he urged voters to continue supporting incumbent Datuk Arthur Kurup of Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), a Barisan component party.

He said political stability was vital to bring more development to the people of Sabah.