ALOR STAR: Sabah Pas commissioner Datuk Dr Aliakbar Gulasan, who won the Karambunai state seat, is likely to continue supporting the Sabah government led by Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
Pas election director-general Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor did not rule out the possibility, noting that the Sabah Perikatan Nasional (PN) vice-chairman was previously a nominated assemblyman appointed by the state government following the 2020 Sabah state election.
“I do not know yet, but previously he was in the government with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) as well. What happens next, I am not sure. He may continue with the Sabah government,” he told reporters today.
Commenting on the single-seat victory, Sanusi said that although the Sabah state election narrative was largely dominated by local parties, PN’s sole win signalled a growing acceptance of the coalition and Pas among Sabah voters.
“We fielded the best candidate for Sabah, and I saw an increase in the number of votes obtained, even though the contest was multi-cornered.
“Previously he (Aliakbar) was a nominated assemblyman, so perhaps he is already familiar with the people there.
“I congratulate him and the voters in Sabah. There will now be a PN voice there,” he said.
The 11-cornered contest in Karambunai saw Aliakbar, contesting under the PN ticket, secure 7,054 votes to win with a slim majority of 365 votes, defeating candidates from Warisan (6,689), GRS (4,818) and Barisan Nasional (4,475).
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
