KOTA KINABALU: Sipitang, some 20km from the Sarawak border, is a quaint and sleepy Sabah town, known more for its wetlands, snorkelling and the lush jungle of Bukit Jabih.
But the calm is stirring with a hot battle for the seat of Sindumin, which is seeing a 10-cornered fight.
There is very little open discussions about the election but, at the heart of it all is Pakatan Harapan’s Yamani Hafez. He is the son of Tun Musa Aman, the current Sabah Governor and former chief minister during the Barisan Nasional era from 2003 to 2018.
“Anak bukit sudah turun, semua diam, (quiet everyone, the son of the hill is here),” said Khalil, a local resident using the euphemism for a candidate from up high.
Yamani Hafez is seen as the frontrunner for the seat but faces a fierce competition from Warisan’s Yusri Pungut and a potpourri of candidates from Sabah STAR, Parti KDM, Perikatan Nasional, Parti Impian Sabah and three independents.
Yamani Hafez, however, is taking things in his stride spending time with voters in the kampung to explain his position.
The former Sipitang MP and deputy federal minister, is under attack for alleged absence from the constituency when he was the MP.
“These are just attacks against me by my opponents. It is okay, I am explaining to the people directly.
“Kg Guruh Guruh is where I was born. It is my mother’s hometown,” said Yamani Hafez when met recently in Kampung Marau.
Lalong Salimun, from Kampung Marau, said Yamani Hafez was a known figure there, with the two of them having worked together during their Umno days.
“We hope for the bridge in our village to be raised, because it is too low. Whenever it rains, we cannot use the bridge.
“We hope this can be solved after the election,” said the 50-year-old.
Warisan’s Yusri, a veteran lawyer who is making his electoral debut in Sindumin, appeared unfazed at the prospects of taking on Yamani Hafez.
“We are confident because all supporters and voters from Sipitang know who is the state Governor’s son,” he said.
Yusri, who also criticised Yamani Hafez over his alleged absence from the constituency, said his team has its own strategy to take on the Pakatan machinery but would not discuss it.
Yusri said he has been warmly welcomed by Sindumin voters as campaigning enters its second week.
“People are very supportive, from here to the interior areas of Long Pasia,” added Yusri.
Ismayung Hussin, 41, a farmer in Long Pasia, is hoping for the next elected assemblyman to address perennial issues on land rights and water there.
“There is too much encroachment into our land and forest by the government and companies,” he added.
Sabah STAR party worker Azri Tuan, 47, said the race would be tight, with the controversy over the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir looming large.
“I think the state government did not do enough to explain the Zara Qairina case and it seems as though VIPs are being protected,” said a voter, who only wanted to be known as Arthur, in Kampung Malaman.
Zara Qairina died on July 17 after she was found unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory at 4am on July 16. She was buried in Sipitang.
