KOTA KINABALU: Beluran MP Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee will take on Gabungan Rakyat Sabah’s Datuk James Ratib in his stronghold of Sugut as Perikatan Nasional named 41 candidates for the Sabah election.
The state Bersatu chief will lead Perikatan into the election as it aims to get back the state government it lost when all its assemblymen led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor defected to take over Gagasan Rakyat in Dec 2022.
This will be the first time in 35 years that Kiandee will be contesting in Sugut, adding that he has been going to the ground and knows the people there.
On his chances against Ratib, who is Sugut’s three-term assemblyman, Kiandee said both he and Ratib have an advantage.
Perikatan will also contest in Sulaman and has picked Tuaran Bersatu Srikandi chief Datin Tiaminah Siti Aminah Ele to contest against caretaker chief minister and GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
The coalition will also be contesting in Lamag where its candidate, Mazlin Madali, a local leader will face Barisan Nasional strongman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin.
In Kundasang, local Ranau leader Dr Atong Antong will go up against Parti Bersatu Sabah’s acting president Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam.
State PAS commissioner Datuk Dr Aliakbar Gulasan will contest in Karambunai, while four other PAS candidates will stand in Tanjung Batu, Merotai, Kunak and Balung.
Gerakan will contest Luyang, Elopura and Tanjung Papat.
Perikatan will also be contesting in Banggi, Bengkoka, Tanjung Kapor, Pantai Dalit, Darau, Tanjung Aru, Tanjung Keramat, Moyog, Limbahau, Pantai Manis, Bongawan, Klias and Liawan.
Other seats to be contested by Perikatan are Nabawan, Telupid, Labuk, Gum-Gum, Sungai Manila, Sungai Sibuga, Sekong, Sukau, Silam, Sulabayan, Bugaya, Apas, Kukusan, Sebatik, Pintasan and Sindumin.
Perikatan Chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the candidates had gone through stringent criminal and integrity screening before they were selected.
He said there were many new faces and young people in this list, who have clean records and are determined to take back the state government.
Asked why Perikatan chose to give five seats to PAS, Muhyiddin described them as capable individials.
Muhyiddin also said that Perikatan was ready to work with any like-minded parties to form the state government, acknowledging that it is impossible for any single party or coalition to form the new state government on their own.
