Datuk Redonah Bahanda
KOTA KINABALU: In Sabah’s ever-colourful political landscape, few families embody its drama quite like the Bahanda siblings of northern Kudat, a trio bound by blood but divided by political loyalties.
Despite standing on opposite sides of the political divide, the influential Bahandas insist that family comes before politics.
“Our family ties remain strong even though we have different political directions,” said Datuk Redonah Bahanda, Gagasan Rakyat’s women’s wing chief, who is set to defend her party’s turf in the coming state polls.
Her elder brother, Kota Marudu MP Datuk Wetrom Bahanda, is the deputy president of opposition Parti KDM, while another brother, Kudat MP Datuk Verdon Bahanda, is spearheading the Black Wave movement to field independent candidates across Sabah.
All three siblings are plunging into the state election under rival banners and in separate constituencies.
Wetrom is vacating his Bandau seat to contest in Matunggong, where he will face PBS secretary-general Datuk Julita Majungki from the ruling incumbent Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
Redonah, meanwhile, will take up the GRS banner in Bandau, while Verdon is entering the fray in Tanjung Kapor as an independent, challenging incumbent Ben Chong Bin, who won the seat under Warisan before defecting to Gagasan Rakyat.
Redonah said their differing paths are a reflection of political maturity and harmony, not discord.
“Kinship is more important. Politics can differ, but family love must never be broken,” she said, adding that her selection as a candidate showed GRS’ recognition of women’s growing role in politics.
Verdon, in a previous interview, echoed his sister’s sentiment, saying that while their ideologies may differ, the Bahanda family remains united.
The siblings’ influence runs deep among the Rungus community, with both brothers currently holding the northern parliamentary seats of Kudat and Kota Marudu.
Parti KDM, founded by jailed president Datuk Peter Anthony after breaking away from Warisan in December 2021, has since emerged as a rising non-Muslim native party challenging established players like Parti Bersatu Sabah led by acting president Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam, and Sabah STAR under Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
As the state gears up for its next election, all eyes will be on the Bahanda trio – rivals in the political arena, but kin at heart.
