TAMPARULI: The crowded contest for the Tamparuli state seat, located at the foothills of Gunung Kinabalu, has narrowed down to a direct battle between Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Upko.
The battle for Tamparuli is also seeing voters split down the middle when it comes to Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), which is looking to defend the seat against Upko heavyweight Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau.
A restaurant operator here said the GRS machinery is everywhere.
“They’re doing their rounds daily, especially among the local community in the town.
“But their candidate is a new face, and word is going around that he’s not a local,” said the operator, who wanted to be known only as Fatt.
GRS is represented by Dr Bonaventure Boniface, who is the new candidate defending the seat held by PBS.
Talk on the ground is that Boniface is not a Tamparuli native, but he has since dispelled the allegations.
He is up against Madius, who is Upko honorary president.
GRS is said to hold a slight edge in the crowded field.
A party source said the fight is only between GRS and Upko.
“Here it will be the youths, especially those below 40, who will determine the winner.”
According to the source, Upko is hot on GRS’ heels when it comes to swaying senior voters, and it is mobilising its youth machinery to entice the 10,000-odd voters in the 18-40 age group.
Among the main issues plaguing Tamparuli is pollution in the Kampung Bawang River, which flows past Kauluan, Kauluan Ulu and Telibong villages.
A resident who wanted to be known as James is concerned over how a chicken farm operating for over two decades near that river has been dumping its waste there, polluting the river that locals depend on for water for cooking, bathing and washing.
“That chicken farm is also very close to the Telibong water plant, and maggots are flowing into the river.
“How are locals supposed to live like this? It is disgusting.
“Whoever is elected here must solve this issue that has been affecting the quality of life of locals for the past 20 years,” said the resident.
Tamparuli will see a 13-cornered battle involving GRS, Upko, Warisan, Parti KDM, and Parti Impian Sabah, among others.
Apart from Madius, other notable names in the fray are Julia Ongkili, who is representing Parti Impian Sabah, and independent Johan Jahid.
Ongkili is the daughter of former Sabah leader the late Datuk James Ongkili, while Johan is the son of Datuk Jahid Jahim, the PBS strongman who has held the Tamparuli seat for several terms.
