KOTA KINABALU: The parents of the two Majimbun candidates are taking a neutral stance as their children lock horns in the crowded race for Inanam in the state election.
Edna Jessica Majimbun, 47, and her brother Shone Majimbun, 45, are among 13 candidates vying for the seat, currently held by Pakatan Harapan’s Datuk Peto Galim.
Edna is contesting under the Warisan banner, while Shone, associated with the Black Wave movement, is running as an independent.
Their father, Datuk Eric Majim-bun, a former Sepanggar MP under the Sabah Progressive Party, is widely regarded as a respected local leader, while his brother William, a former district native chief, also holds strong influence in the community.
Inanam is a state seat within the Sepanggar parliamentary constituency.
Edna said she has been working hard to win support while maintaining family harmony.
“In fact, my parents have stated they are taking a neutral stance,” she said, adding that both she and Shone have received their parents’ blessings to enter the race, with nothing but well-wishes.
Edna has been visiting villages, markets and town areas, holding talks to garner support.
“This is the true meaning of democracy and family. We were taught growing up that anyone can have differences in opinion, but family ties must never be broken over politics,” she said.
Edna added that being raised in a politically active household taught her that a leader must serve the people and not serve their ego.
Shone, meanwhile, is concentrating on campaigning, engaging with locals and explaining the political ideology of the Black Wave movement rather than discussing family matters.
“As independent candidates, we want to show that we cannot be easily persuaded or swayed off our original path by monetary gains,” he said.
An active community worker, Shone said despite political differences, family and friendship bonds remain strong.
“When I meet friends, relatives and villagers during my campaign, I still feel that the spirit of unity among Sabahans remains strong,” he said.
Both siblings face an uphill battle to unseat Peto, whose main challenger, according to local observers, is likely to be independent Datuk Dr Roland Chia, a former assemblyman and political secretary to chief minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
Chia quit Hajiji’s Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah to contest as an independent.
After a week of campaigning, both Edna and Shone have begun consolidating their support bases, with some voters firmly backing them and others still undecided.
Other candidates contesting the seat include Sabah STAR’s Datuk Kenny Chua, a former Inanam assemblyman; Wong Thien Fook of Upko; and Lewis Wong of Parti KDM.
