(From left) Anuar Ayub, Nik Mohd Nadzri and Adzhar.
(From left) Anuar Ayub, Nik Mohd Nadzri and Adzhar.
It’s a Kadazandusun hot seat eyed by parties, independents
KOTA KINABALU: Voters in Liawan, a seat in Sabah’s interior of Keningau, are likely to see a battle among siblings and cousins.
Liawan is one of the most sought-after ethnic Kadazandusun seats, eyed by all parties and independents.
Incumbent assemblyman Datuk Annuar Ayub Aman, who abandoned Sabah STAR earlier this month, is likely to be fielded by Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) for the seat which Barisan Nasional is also hoping to capture.
It is no secret that Barisan has been planning to field Keningau Umno chief Nik Mohd Nadzri Nik Zawawi, who is a cousin of Annuar.
Annuar and Nik Mohd Nadzri are not the only ones in the family likely to contest in Liawan.
Annuar’s brother Ishak, who is with Sabah STAR, is said to be party president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan’s possible choice for the seat.
The two are the sons of former Berjaya minister Datuk Ayub Aman, the elder brother to Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Musa Aman.
Aside from Ishak, Sabah STAR, who quit the GRS coalition just before the state assembly was dissolved, is said to have other names to be considered for Liawan, namely pro tem division chief Johari Utoh and Clement Liew, a key aide to Jeffrey.
Opposition Parti Warisan has also been shoring up its support in Liawan, where president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal accepted some 2,000 membership applications during a meet-the-people session two days ago.
While Shafie has yet to indicate a likely candidate, party sources said Adzahar Jasni and former Liawan assemblyman Rasinin Koutis are among the possible choices.
Parti KDM is also set to throw its hat in the ring and will field former school principal Peter Paun.
Annuar won the Liawan seat on a Perikatan-Bersatu ticket, with a 641-vote majority after defeating main opponent Warisan’s Rasinin in the seven-corner contest in the last state election.
