Several Sabah state seats are set for intense multi-cornered contests in the 17th state election on Nov 29, with Inanam, Tamparuli, Kapayan, and Moyog each drawing 12 or 13 candidates.
In Inanam, PKR’s Peto Galim, the 2020 winner, seeks a second term against 12 challengers, including three former assemblymen and Upko vice-president Wong Thien Fook.
His predecessors, Kenny Chua of Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku and Dr Roland Chia, who won in 2018 and 2013 respectively, are back in the fray.
Chia quit Hajiji Noor’s Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah today to run as an independent, having previously been in PKR and Sabah Bersatu.
Other contenders include Edna Jessica Majimbun (Warisan), Lewis Wong (Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat), Paul Anap (Parti Impian Sabah), Joseph Linggian (Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri), Sumali Marino Ahmad (Parti Rumpun Sabah), Gordon Lai (Parti Bumi Kenyalang), Martin Sibit (Parti Gemilang Anak Sabah), Chia Yun Kong (Perjuangan Rakyat), and independent Shone Eric Jr Majimbun.
PKR has held Inanam since 2013.
Tamparuli also faces a 13-cornered fight, featuring former federal minister Wilfred Madius Tangau of Upko and Julia Emelda Ongkili of Parti Impian Sabah.
Julia is the daughter of the late James Ongkili, a former Sabah deputy chief minister under Berjaya.
Warisan fields Joseph Lee, Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat has James Lunkapis, and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah puts forward Bonaventure Boniface.
Six independents join the race, including Johan Jahid, son of incumbent Jahid Jahim, who won in 2020 for Parti Bersatu Sabah with a 3,517-vote majority in a four-cornered contest.
In Kapayan, DAP’s Jannie Lasimbang defends her seat in a 13-cornered battle after securing a 13,163-vote majority in 2020 under the Warisan ticket through a pact.
She faces Chin Tek Ming (Warisan), Bernard Logijin (Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku), Upko’s Billy Joe Dominic, Dr Edwin Bosi (Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat), Lasius Miki (Pejuang), Chin Ling Ling (Parti Impian Sabah), Wong Kong Fooh (Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri), Kuo Lee On (Parti Bumi Kenyalang), Sylvester Moloukun (Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak), and independents Cyril Gerald Liew, Sabariah Aziz, and Len Lip Fong.
Kapayan, in Penampang district, has remained a DAP stronghold for two terms.
Moyog sees a 12-cornered contest, with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah fielding Joeynodd Aiiko Ronald C Bansin of Parti Bersatu Sabah, Pakatan Harapan nominating PKR’s Remysta Taylor, and Perikatan Nasional choosing Francis Mojikon of Bersatu.
Warisan vice-president Terrence Siambun and Upko deputy president Donald Peter Mojuntin, both former Moyog assemblymen, are contesting.
Warisan deputy president Darell Leiking won in 2020 with a 5,935-vote majority but is not defending the seat.
Others include Mckery Victor Ninin (Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat), Joe Suleiman (Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku), Cleftus Stephen Spine (Parti Impian Sabah), Richard Ronald Dompok (Parti Kebangsaan Sabah), Walter Norbert Johnny (Parti Bumi Kenyalang), and independents Peter Maurice Lidadun and Ricky Chang.
Moyog, a semi-urban seat in Penampang parliamentary constituency, has switched between Warisan, PKR, Barisan Nasional, and PBS in past cycles.
Campaigning starts today and runs for 14 days, ending at 11:59pm on Nov 28.
The Election Commission reports 1,784,843 eligible voters based on the August electoral roll.
