KOTA KINABALU: A son of the Yang-diPertua Negeri and a retired top government official are among 10 candidates from PKR who have entered the fray.
Datuk Yamani Hafez, former Sipitang MP and son of Tun Musa Aman will contest in Sindumin, the party announced.
Following weeks of speculation, Datuk Ruji Ubi, who is seen as a rising star in Sabah PKR is confirmed to be contesting in Merotai.
A component member of Pakatan Harapan, PKR is contesting almost half of the 23 seats the coalition is eyeing in this election.
PKR has dropped State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew and replaced her with Thonny Chee, the chief executive officer of Sri Pelacongan Sabah for the Api-Api seat.
Datuk Jamawi Jaafar is the party’s candidate for Melalap, while George Hiew will defend his Karamunting seat.
Both Jamawi and Hiew were part of Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor’s Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, and have left for PKR to contest under the Pakatan ticket.
PKR also named former Putatan MP Datuk Awang Husaini Sahari as candidate for Petagas.
Interestingly, Awang Husaini may be going up against his elder brother Ahmad Awang Sah, who is the incumbent.
Sabah PKR deputy chief Datuk Peto Galim has been retained in Inanam while former educationist Datin Rufinah Pangeran will contest in Tulid.
Grassroots leader Romansa Laman is PKR’s choice for Segama while the candidate for Gum-Gum is Libaran fisherman association chairman Abdul Said Pimping.
PKR president and Pakatan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who announced the candidates, reminded Pakatan component parties that they must contest under the coalition logo.
He said Pakatan is not contesting with the intention of forming the government, but to work closely with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Barisan Nasional to have stronger representation in the Federal Government.
“It is to uplift the lives of the people of Sabah, to build a new Sabah, stop mismanagement, stop corruption and stop what is wrong,” he said.
Meanwhile, state PKR chief Datuk Mustapha Sakmud reminded party members that the candidates chosen were the “Prime Minister’s candidates”.
“Please bring the reformasi agenda when you win the election. We want to bring changes in Sabah, don’t repeat the mistakes of past leaders.
“This is the first time we enter the state election as a government. We do not only want to win but also want to bring changes to the state.”
