KOTA KINABALU: Usno’s controversial political couple – Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia and Puan Sri Diana Diego – are taking a gentle approach in trying to win over voters and appease political allies before the state polls.
Pandikar Amin has been accused of stealing the Pintasan seat from incumbent Datuk Fairuz Renddan during the naming of candidates for Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
When his name was announced, the crowd booed.
Fairuz has now gone against the party and is running as an independent candidate.
Pandikar Amin was adamant that he had not "stolen" the seat.
"I asked GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor for his opinion, and told him that if my contesting would cause disunity, I would rather not stand,” he said.
The 70-year-old said the Pintasan state seat was created upon his request in March 2016.
He said he had been accused of many things in 40-odd years in politics, including not creating a legacy, not helping his Iranun community, being greedy, arrogant, selfish and taking advantage of others.
"I am not angry, I do not blame anyone. Instead, I wish to apologise if there had been mistakes and shortcomings. I am human. Imperfect.
"I might be 70, but my mind is still sharp and my fighting spirit still roars,” said the former Dewan Rakyat Speaker.
His socialite wife, Diana, who is contesting in Sekong, said her sole reason to enter the polls for the first time in her life was to help build a more prosperous and caring community.
She said she would try to seek jobs for the people, welfare aid for the disabled, elderly and single mothers, and push for a better education system and better infrastructure.
