KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Umno deputy chief Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan has decided to make way for a new local face to contest as Barisan Nasional (BN)’s candidate in the Tempasuk state seat in the upcoming 17th Sabah state election (PRN17).
Abdul Rahman, who is also Tuaran Umno chief, explained that his decision was in response to questions that arose following his withdrawal as a candidate for the seat today.
He said the decision had already been conveyed to Umno president and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
“I have informed the President that I wish to give way to a new face and a local from Kota Belud to represent Umno in the Tempasuk state seat.
“I have contested three times in the Kota Belud parliamentary constituency (2013, 2018 and 2022), winning twice and losing once. In all three elections, Umno consistently won the votes in the Tempasuk state constituency even when we lost the parliamentary seat.
“I believe a local candidate from Umno Kota Belud will be able to shoulder this responsibility well. As a party member, I will continue to contribute in other capacities,” he said in a statement posted on his Facebook page tonight.
The former Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department also expressed his gratitude to the party and Ahmad Zahid for announcing his name as the candidate for the seat on Nov 9.
“I would also like to thank all Umno members and supporters in Tempasuk for their support over the years,” he added.
Earlier, Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin confirmed Abdul Rahman’s withdrawal when asked about the matter today.
Following the decision, Bung Moktar said Sabah Umno has nominated Kota Belud Umno chief, Azuwan Marjan Norjan, to replace Abdul Rahman as BN‘s candidate for the Tempasuk seat.
BN is set to face the incumbent, Datuk Mohd Arsad Bistari, who was today confirmed as Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS)’s candidate to defend the seat.
Mohd Arsad won the seat under the BN ticket in the 2020 state election (PRN16) before leaving Umno during Sabah’s political crisis in January 2023 to join Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat), led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
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