Sabah Umno deputy chief Abdul Rahman Dahlan is counting on his past contributions as Kota Belud MP to secure the Tempasuk state seat for Barisan Nasional (BN) in the November 29 election.
He declared readiness to face any challenger, including former Umno member Arsad Bistari, who held Tempasuk before the Sabah assembly dissolved.
As Kota Belud MP from 2008 to 2018, Rahman initiated several projects, such as the polytechnic under construction in Tempasuk.
“The project was planned in 2017 but cancelled by the Dr Mahathir Mohamad administration in 2018, and Warisan did not defend it,” he told FMT.
He persisted, lobbying Umno ministers Noraini Ahmad, Khaled Nordin, and now Zambry Abdul Kadir.
“Tempasuk needs continuous development and long-term planning. That will be my priority,” Rahman said.
Seat’s Political Journey
BN captured Tempasuk in 1994 but lost it in December 2018 after assemblyman Musbah Jamli quit Umno and joined Warisan a month later.
Arsad won in 2020 on a BN ticket with a 1685-vote majority.
He left Umno for Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah after the failed January 2023 Kinabalu Move to oust Hajiji Noor as chief minister.
Rahman was among 41 BN state candidates announced yesterday. This marks his debut in a state contest, having only run in parliamentary races before.
He lost Sepanggar in 2018 to Warisan’s Azis Jamman by 12984 votes and Kota Belud in 2022 to Warisan’s Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis by 4582 votes.
Kota Belud includes Pintasan, Tempasuk, Usukan, and Kadamaian constituencies.
Confidence in Local Support
Rahman highlighted Umno’s strong machinery and grassroots in Tempasuk, a traditional BN area.
“Although I lost Kota Belud in 2022, we still won most votes in Tempasuk. So we still have our strength there,” he said.
He is prepared for straight or multi-cornered fights but stressed hard work ahead.
Nominations take place on Saturday.
As Tempasuk voters weigh experience and delivery, Rahman’s federal-level push for local growth could sway the outcome.
