KINABATANGAN: The Kuamut incumbent remains unfazed by attempts to revive past graft allegations as he seeks another term under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) banner in the coming Sabah election.
Datuk Masiung Banah, one of the eight candidates for the N57 seat, said he had personally gone to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to give his cooperation and was informed there was no case against him.
Masiung is among several former Sabah assemblymen aligned with GRS who were previously linked to allegations involving mineral-related dealings, though no charges were brought forward.
“I believe the opposition will continue to play up the issue, but we acted like gentlemen and went to MACC ourselves.
“They informed us there was nothing,” he said when met at the nomination at Dewan Sri Lamag here, Saturday (Nov 15).
“Voters in Kuamut are mature enough to differentiate between slander and the truth,” he added.
Masiung said his focus now is on continuing development projects that had been delayed or disrupted over the years.
He said he has strategies to reach all voter segments, including young voters, to encourage turnout and support for the “current government” to ensure continuity in development, political stability and economic progress.
Asked why Barisan Nasional did not field a candidate in Kuamut, he quipped: “Datuk Seri Bung Moktar is my elder brother. I believe he would not disturb his younger brother here.”
Masiung won Kuamut as an independent in 2020 but is contesting under GRS this time.
Meanwhile, Warisan candidate Norfaizah Chua @ Giak Kiang said voters were signalling a strong desire for change due to long-standing issues in the constituency.
She said many residents expressed disappointment with what they viewed as unresolved problems under previous leadership.
“I saw a clear response on the ground. Some even cried because of the hardship they are facing,” she said.
Norfaizah said the Sabah election could “change the political landscape” in Kuamut and expressed confidence that Warisan could win the seat.
She also downplayed the strength of other local parties, citing previous vote patterns.
