Sabah Umno deputy chief Abdul Rahman Dahlan has withdrawn as Barisan Nasional’s candidate for Tempasuk, only three days after his announcement for the November 29 state election.
Rahman said he stepped down to pave the way for fresh faces in the polls and had informed Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Despite his 2022 loss in the Kota Belud parliamentary seat, he noted Umno secured most votes in Tempasuk.
“I trust a local Kota Belud Umno member can shoulder this role effectively.
“As an Umno member, I will keep supporting the party in other ways,” he wrote on Facebook.
Sabah BN chairman Bung Moktar Radin insisted Rahman’s candidacy had strong backing within the coalition.
“He did not withdraw due to any rejection. There were no problems with his selection,” Bung told FMT.
He added that BN’s election plans remain on track, though he hoped Rahman would still campaign for the team.
“I am confident he will help our candidates secure wins,” Bung said.
Bung revealed that Kota Belud Umno chief Azwan Norjan will now contest Tempasuk.
Rahman was part of the 41 BN candidates named on Sunday. Had he proceeded, Saturday’s nomination would have been his state-level debut after only parliamentary runs.
Tempasuk was taken in 2020 by ex-Umno assemblyman Arsad Bistari with a 1685-vote majority before he joined Gabungan Rakyat Sabah.
Yesterday, Rahman dismissed rumours of tension with Bung, calling them a strong partnership.
The former federal minister acknowledged differences on some matters but stressed unity in pushing BN to victory on November 29.
