Sabah polls: Bung turns up the heat in Pantai Dalit in a ‘must-win’ battle for Barisan

KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin is campaigning vigorously in Pantai Dalit in Tuaran in a bid to reclaim what was taken from Sabah Barisan Nasional.

The Sabah Barisan chairman said its incumbent, Datuk Jasnih Daya, won the seat on its ticket in 2020 but left the coalition when the situation became difficult.

“Jasnih and our Pantai Dalit candidate Alfian Sambas are relatives, like brothers, and these two ‘brothers’ used to come to my house often to cook and eat,” he said during a campaign drive with Alfian on Thursday (Nov 20) night.

“In fact, Jasni cooks well. His food was delicious … who knew that the good food he made us had ulterior motives.

“He (Jasnih) kicked me (aside) when things got difficult because he could not handle tough situations and wanted to be in the ruling government.

“I also told Alfian that a relative is a relative, but winning is winning, too. We must win this seat,” Bung Moktar said.

Jasnih and four other Umno assemblymen decided to back Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor as chief minister in January 2023 after Bung Moktar withdrew Barisan’s support for the state government.

The others were Datuk Seri Shahelmey Yahya (Tanjung Keramat), Datuk Yusof Yacob (Sindumin), Datuk James Ratib (Sugut) and Datuk Mohd Arsad Bistari (Tempasuk).

Bung Moktar said the contest in Pantai Dalit is not motivated by revenge, merely a desire to regain a seat that was Barisan’s to begin with.

He said that by fielding Alfian, who has been actively involved in the party and in the area for years, Barisan is confident that the youth factor would help it recapture the seat.

He said like many other state seats, Pantai Dalit’s voters comprised many youths, and the number of younger voters continues to grow.

“That is why we are banking on the youth to give us the support we need to win in Pantai Dalit, and other seats we are contesting,” he added.

Bung Moktar said Barisan listens to everyone – youths, women, the older generation – who say what they want for their respective areas.

At a press conference later, Alfian said young voters make up a large segment of the seat’s electorate.

“We are hoping to get the support of the younger generation. We listen to what they need, their aspirations and wants … that is our strategy to ensure victory in Pantai Dalit,” he said.

“The strength of a leader comes from the people, supporters, and everyone. The voices of our youth cannot continue to go unheard.

“However, we cannot forget our more experienced and senior leaders, citizens as well, because they hold knowledge that we do not,” he stressed.

Alfian is facing a seven-cornered fight in Pantai Dalit.

The other contenders are Parti Warisan heavyweight Datuk Aliasgar Basri, Jasnih of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), former journalist Francis Fahir under Sabah STAR, Jaesman Jaess Gipin of Parti KDM, Mohd Zulkernain Osman of Perikatan Nasional, and Liam Tawil of Parti Impian Sabah.