KOTA KINABLU, OCT 18 — As established coalitions prepare for Sabah’s next election, Kudat MP Datuk Verdon Bahanda’s ‘Black Wave’ movement is positioning itself as a wildcard — a coalition of independents hoping to break party dominance in the state.
Verdon, 52, said clearly that the group’s ultimate aim is to win and hold political power, proving that independent candidates do not belong on the sidelines of Malaysia’s political landscape.
“Without it (power), you can’t protect the people. Of course we need power. What’s the use of talking if you have no power? You can talk on social media all you want, go LIVE 24 hours and you cannot bring change,” he said.
“You need power and you need to be in a position in the government to have power,” he added.
The first-term MP, a former class A contractor, said his movement — made up mostly of businessmen and professionals — aims to contest at least 15 state seats through clean and independent means.
If they win, Verdon said they will decide which coalition to support based on the offers made.
“If a coalition offers us, say a portfolio in welfare, and another in finance — of course we’ll work with the one who gives us a better offer,” he said.
The seats contested are Banggi, Bengkoka, Inanam, Kepayan, Moyog, Tanjung Aru, Membakut, Kemabong, Limbahau, Melalap, Kukusan, Gum Gum, Pintasan, and Sugut so far.
Verdon says as it stands, the party has a neutral approach to all parties.
“The ‘Black Wave’ movement adopts no enemy, and no friend. Neither friend nor enemy to any local or national political front.”
The ‘Black Wave’
He said the group is pushing “people-centric, decentralised politics” that breaks away from the control of national parties.
“When you tie yourself to a party, you’re limited. You can’t speak freely for the people. You have to follow the president’s line, not your conscience,” he said in an interview recently.
“As an independent, I can say what needs to be said without being limited, especially when it comes to the MA63 and Sabah’s rights,” he said.
Declaring his candidacy as an indipendent two years ago, Verdon said he has been compiling a list of credible candidates to join him.
He cited courage, loyalty, freedom from corruption allegations, and long-term commitment as the main criteria for the selection.
He said interested candidates come to him — not the other way around — and he and other members of the group decide together.
“Only the brave dare to ride this wave. It’s for those who want to change the old system into something new — cleaner, more transparent, and more focused on the people,” he said.
He announced his intentions to run independently in 2023, after expressing dissatisfaction that other potential candidates were not active in his hometown of Kudat.
He plans to contest the Tanjung Kapur seat, one of three state seats in his Parliamentary constituency.
However, Verdon said they are not there just to try their luck or split votes.
“We want people who, even though they lose this time, will continue the struggle and continue showing up. For me, it’s not a political party, it’s more of a friendship bond, a brotherhood,” he said.
Verdon said he has nothing against any group but believes that Sabah should not be controlled by “outside” parties to avoid conflicting interests.
“That’s why I stress to our candidates that our movement is self-funded. Candidates are told not to depend on big donors or political patrons.
“If you need millions to contest, then you’ll owe someone later. We don’t want that. Ten thousand ringgit is enough if you truly serve the people,” he said.
He said candidates should rely on their own means rather than big donors or political patrons.
Historically, independent candidates have struggled in Malaysia’s political landscape. Only three of 73 independent candidates won in the last state election.
Verdon, who represents the northern district of Kudat in Parliament, was previously an ordinary member in Umno and dabbled in Upko before he left in 2018. He said his decision to contest as an indipendent came after challenges from friends who questioned his political views.
“They said, ‘you talk so much, why not contest and show what you can do?’ So I did and I won,” he said.
A family of politicians
Though new to Parliament, Verdon is not new to politics. His siblings — older brother Datuk Wetrom Bahanda and younger sister Datuk Redona Bahanda — are both politicians, and the family once held key positions in Umno before leaving in 2018.
Wetrom is now among the leaders of Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (PKDM) while Redona is Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS) Wanita chief, putting one sibling each on every political bloc.
But Verdon said the family’s involvement is coincidental, not calculated.
“We’re not greedy. We built our names from hard work. We can win on any ticket — or none.”
Looking ahead
The ‘Black Wave’ movement is not yet a formal party, but a movement that could evolve if it gains momentum in the state election.
He said he hopes to set an example of an independent candidate ready to work and bring change, and hoped that people would believe in their platform.
“If we win seats and people believe in this wave, then maybe we can form a party later. For now, we’re just showing that you can be clean, independent, and still make an impact.”
