KOTA KINABALU: Beluran MP Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee will face Gabungan Rakyat Sabah’s Datuk James Ratib in Sugut as Perikatan Nasional names 40 of 41 candidates for November 29.
The Sabah Bersatu chief will lead the state Perikatan into the election after losing the government when its assemblymen defected to Gagasan Rakyat in December 2022.
He said he decided to contest in Sugut again after 35 years because he knows the area and its people.
Asked about his chances against Ratib, the three-term Sugut assemblyman said both have their advantages.
Perikatan Nasional was named in full during the announcement and will be referred to as Perikatan thereafter.
In Sulaman, Perikatan’s Datin Tiaminah Siti Aminah Ele will challenge Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
In Lamag, Sabah Barisan Nasional chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin will face Kinabatangan Bersatu leader Mazlin Madali.
Local Ranau leader Dr Atong Antong will contest Kundasang against incumbent and Parti Bersatu Sabah acting president Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam.
Former Sabah PKR women’s chief Rahimah Majid will stand in Banggi.
Sabah PAS commissioner Datuk Dr Aliakbar Gulasan will contest Karambunai.
PAS will also field Ahmad Dullah in Tanjung Batu, Hasabn Haris in Merotai, Kasman Karate in Kunak and Dr Munzier Mahamud in Balung.
Gerakan will contest William Ooi Hong Wee in Luyang, Mohd Firdaus @ Silvester Abdullah in Elopura and Koa Wei Yang in Tanjung Papat.
Other Bersatu candidates are Berusli Kimin in Bengkoka and Muhammad Affan Jumahat in Tanjung Kapor.
Mohd Zulkernain Osman will contest Pantai Dalit and Nabila Norsahar will stand in Darau.
Suhaimi Buang will contest Tanjung Aru and Farish Adamz Shah Kanny will stand in Tanjung Keramat.
Francis Mojikon will contest Moyog and Adrian Alexander will stand in Limbahau.
Faizal Julaili will contest Pantai Manis and Ridzuan Agus Payong will stand in Bongawan.
Mohammad Hisyam Hazaril will contest Klias and Johny @ John Anthony will stand in Liawan.
Sayau Tangkap will contest Nabawan and Jaman Jamri will stand in Telupid.
Asmad Nasir will contest Labuk and Yunus Nurdin will stand in Gum Gum.
Yusri Abu will contest Sungai Manila and Noraini Asmatil will stand in Sungai Sibuga.
Mohd Fazriee Awang will contest Sekong and Pengiran Petra Pengiran Asri will stand in Sukau.
Borkes @ Balkis Kalinggalan will contest Silam and Abdul Malik Abd Bool will stand in Sulabayan.
Jamil Abdul Gapar will contest Bugaya and Lim Ting Khai will stand in Apas.
Francis Lawrence @ Yusop will contest Kukusan and Suhurani Sammani will stand in Sebatik.
Awang Salleh Makmud will contest Pintasan.
Bersatu will also contest Sindumin, but the candidate has not been finalised.
Perikatan will not contest against Parti Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal in Senallang.
The coalition will also not contest against Sabah STAR president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan in Bingkor.
Before the announcement, Kiandee said Sabah’s rights under the Malaysia Agreement and the 40% net revenue claim will be priorities.
“We know our rights and we know the Constitution. What is enshrined in the Federal Constitution will be prioritised for return to the state,” he added.
Perikatan chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said candidates underwent criminal and integrity screening.
He said many are new and younger faces with clean records and strong motivation.
Asked why PAS has five seats, he said they are capable candidates contesting under the Perikatan banner.
He said PAS has five seats, while most are contested by Bersatu and added that Perikatan is ready to work with like-minded parties to form the state government.
Muhyiddin said no single party or coalition is likely to form the government alone.
