KOTA KINABALU, Nov 12 — The Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) coalition today unveiled an initial list of 51 candidates for the state election, a slate marked by a significant shake-up that sees some incumbents dropped, new faces introduced, and at least one controversial selection.
Coalition chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who will defend his Sulaman seat, announced the list today, confirming it consists of about 33 per cent new faces.
He said GRS will contest a total of 55 seats, with the final candidates for the remaining four seats to be decided tomorrow.
“If we can unite under GRS, we will come to power again. I hope everyone can accept the candidates with an open heart,” Hajiji said.
Incumbents dropped, new faces introduced
In one of the most significant moves, caretaker deputy chief minister and Umno defector Datuk Shahelmey Yahya was dropped from the Tanjung Keramat seat.
Instead, his brother, Shah Alfie Yahya, 39, will contest the seat in his place.
Two assemblymen with ongoing corruption cases related to mineral prospecting licences were also dropped: Datuk Dr. Yusof Yacob (Sindumin) and Datuk Andi Muhammad Suryady Bandy (Tanjung Batu). The Sindumin seat has been allocated to PKR, while first-timer Andi Md Shahsureezal will contest Tanjung Batu for GRS.
Other prominent new faces include Tan Sri Musa Aman’s son, Datuk Hazem Mubarak Musa, who will be the candidate in Sungai Manila.
Controversial choice
Causing immediate controversy, former Parliament Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia was chosen to contest the Pintasan seat over the popular incumbent, Datuk Fairuz Renddan, who won the seat by just 84 votes in 2020.
Pandikar’s wife, Puan Sri Diana Diego, was also named as the candidate for Sekong.
Veterans and defectors
A number of senior GRS leaders and long-serving assemblymen were retained, including Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun (Karanaan), Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif (Membakut), and six-term assemblyman Datuk Rubin Balang (Kemabong).
Several Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) assemblymen who defected from their party to remain with GRS will also defend their seats, including Datuk Annuar Ayub (Liawan), Datuk Ellron Angin (Sook), and Datuk Abidin Madingkir (Paginatan).
The disputed Bandau seat will be contested by PGRS Wanita Chief Datuk Redonah Bahanda.
Several key seats were notably absent from today’s announcement and are expected to be finalised tomorrow.
These include Tamparuli, held by PBS deputy president Datuk Jahid Jahim, and Bingkor, held by another STAR defector, Datuk Robert Tawik.
The Kukusan and Sebatik seats are believed to be the remainder.
Initial candidates list:
1. Banggi – Datuk Mohammad Mohamarin
2. Bengkoka – Datuk Dr Samuil Mopun
3. Pitas – Datuk Seri Ruddy Awah
4. Tg Kapor – Datuk Ben Chong
5. Matunggong – Datuk Julita Mojungki
6. Bandau – Datuk Redonah Bahanda
7. Tandek – Datuk Hendrus Anding
8. Pintasan – Tan Sri Pandikar Amin
9. Tempasuk – Datuk Mohd Arshad Bistari
10. Usukan – Datuk Japlin Akim
11. Pantai Dalit – Datuk Jasnih Daya
12. Kiulu – Datuk Joniston Bangkuai
13. Karambunai – Datuk Arshad Idris
14. Darau – Datuk Mohamed Razali Razi
15. Tg Keramat – Shah Alfie Yahya
16. Moyog – Joeynood Bansin
17. Limbahau – Datuk Juil Nuatim
18. Kawang – Datuk Seri Ghulam Haidar Khan
19. Pantai Manis – Datuk Saifuddin Tahir Petra
20. Bongawan – Tan Sri Anifah Aman
21. Klias – Datuk Isnin Aliasnih
22. Kuala Penyu – Datuk Limus Jury
23. Membakut – Datuk Mohd Ariffin Arif
24. Lumadan – Datuk Ruslan Muharam
25. Kundasang – Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam
26. Karanaan – Datuk Masidi Manjun
27. Paginatan – Datuk Abidin Madingkir
28. Tambunan – Datuk Victor Paut
29. Liawan – Datuk Annuar Ayub
30. Kemabong – Datuk Rubin Balang
31. Sook – Datuk Ellron Angin
32. Nabawan – Datuk Abdul Ghani Yassin
33. Telupid – Datuk Jonnybone Kurum
34. Sugut – Datuk James Ratib
35. Sungai Manila – Datuk Hazem Mubarak Musa
36. Sungai Sibuga – Datuk Amirshah Yaakub
37. Labuk – Datuk Samad Jambry
38. Sekong – Puan Sri Diana Diego @ Yusrina Sufiana
39. Kuamut – Datuk Masiung Banah
40. Lamag – Johanizamshah Johari
41. Sukau – Datuk Juhari Janan
42. Tungku – Datuk Abdul Hakim Gulam Hassan
43. Silam – Datuk Mizma Appehdullah
44. Kunak – Datuk Norazlinah Arif
45. Bugaya – Noorudin Abdul Hussin
46. Balung – Syed Ahmad Syed Abad
47. Apas – Datuk Nizam Titingan
48. Tg Baru – Andi Md Shahsureezal
49. Kadamaian – Mudezam Muyau @ James Muyau
50. Senallang – Datuk Marunda K Ampong
51. Sulaman – Datuk Hajiji Noor
