PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man has hailed the party’s first-ever seat win in East Malaysia as proof that Sabahans are warming to PAS.
Sabah PAS chief Aliakbar Gulasan captured the Karambunai seat with a 365-vote majority in an 11-cornered fight.
The victory ended PAS’s long wait for electoral success in Sabah and Sarawak.
Victory Built on Personal Trust
Tuan Ibrahim credited Aliakbar’s personal character and the tireless work of party workers for the breakthrough.
He stressed that Perikatan Nasional offered no rewards to voters, who chose Aliakbar because they knew and trusted him.
Although a former nominated assemblyman, this was Aliakbar’s first time contesting an election.
Local Sentiment Did Not Block Win
Despite strong support for local parties across the state, Tuan Ibrahim said such feelings did not significantly hurt PAS in Karambunai.
Aliakbar defeated candidates from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, Warisan, Barisan Nasional, and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku.
The result gives Perikatan Nasional its only foothold in the new Sabah assembly.
