PENAMPANG: In one of the most crowded match-ups, the hotly contested Moyog seat within the Penampang district has a reputation for being Sabah’s political graveyard.
With a dozen candidates currently vying for the seat, the battle also brings a stern reminder – big names, even sitting chief ministers, have not survived voters’ onslaught at the ballot box.
Located about 12km from the Kota Kinabalu city centre, both urban and suburban voters say their choice lies not behind big names but the ability to actually deliver results.
“The people in Moyog and Penampang are learned and know what to look out for when it comes to elections.
“Any candidates, regardless of their positions, will be voted out if they do not deliver,” said a voter who wanted to be known as Francesca.
A major upset happened in 1999 when the then chief minister, Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, contested the seat and lost.
During the 15th General Election, Warisan senior leader and then federal minister Datuk Darell Leiking lost the Penampang seat to Upko president Datuk Ewon Benedick.
Moyog is located within the Penampang parliamentary constituency.
Upko has since gone solo for the Sabah polls, officially leaving Pakatan Harapan just days before nomination.
This decision, however, has riled up some of the folk here who described Upko’s move as jumping the gun.
But they still view Ewon, a former federal minister and one of Upko’s two MPs, with high regard.
“No doubt Upko is a local party that champions Sabah’s rights. But then again, there are many parties that are supposedly doing so as well.
“The president (Ewon) has done wonders as an MP. If he contested here, it would be a clear choice on who to vote for,” said a storekeeper who wanted to be known as Rainah.
In Kampung Inobong here, voter Rina J. said it will be tough to decide which of the 12 candidates will have their vote.
“Each has his own abilities and promises, but we really don’t like it when elected officials only come around once every five years,” she said, referring to some politicians who are only accessible during election campaigns.
Georgina Pipin, a local restaurant owner, hopes the elected candidate will prioritise the enhancement of basic infrastructure and the uplifting of local communities.
“It really goes down to who we know and who we don’t. While there are local boys in the running, they must be able to deliver and give back (to the community),” she said.
Among the parties contesting in the 12-cornered battle are Warisan, Sabah STAR, Upko and Pakatan Harapan.
There are 596 candidates from 23 parties who are contesting in the Sabah polls on Nov 29.
