KOTA KINABALU:
Chief Minister cum State BN Liaison Chairman Datuk Seri Musa Aman has announced the candidates for Umno, PBS, SAPP and MCA, featuring 16 new faces to the State BN line-up for both State and parliamentary seats. Thirteen of the newcomers are from UMNO which retained 29 of its previous candidates, swapped two seats and dropped 13 incumbents. The 13 new faces are Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahian(P169 Kota Belud), Salleh Kalbi(P188 Silam), Abdul Mijul Unani(N1 Banggi), Bolkiah Haji Ismail(N3 Pitas), Datuk Haji Musbah Haji Ramli(N6 Tempasuk), Kamarlin Ombi(N27 Lumadan), Ahmad Bujang(N28 Sindumin), Saddi Abdul Rahman(N48 Sukau), Nilwan Kaban(N51 Kunak), Datuk Haji Harman Mohamad (N52 Sulabayan), Datuk Ramlee Marhaban(N54 Bugaya), Datuk Hamisah Samad(N59 Tanjong Batu) and Haji Muis Pichu(N60 Sebatik). Incumbent Beaufort MP Datuk Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun swapped seats with Incumbent Klias Assemblyman Datuk Lajim Ukin, who is Umno Beaufort Division Chairman. A retained are Datuk Japlin Haji Akim(N8 Usukan), Datuk Hajiji Mohd Noor(N1O Sulaman), Jainab Datuk Ahmad(N12 Karambunai), Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin(N18 Petagas), Datuk Gulamhaidar Khan Bahadar(N21 Kawang), Datuk Abdul Rahim Ismail(N22 Pantai Manis), Datuk Kanim Haji Bujang(N23 Bongawan), Haji Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif(N24 Membakut), Datuk Masidi Manjun(N30 Karanaan), Datuk Sairin Karno (N34 Liawan), Datuk Rubin Balang(N36 Kemabong), Datuk Surady Kayong(N39 Sugut), Datuk Zakaria Haji Mohd Edris(N41 Gum-Gum), Datuk Seri Panglima Musa Haji Aman(N42 Sungai Sibuga), Datuk Shamsudin Yahya(N43 Sekong), Mohd Suhaili Said(N49 Tungku), Datuk Nasrun Datuk Mansur(N50 Lahad Datu), Datuk Nasir Tun Sákaran(N53 Senallang), Datuk Syed Aba Syed Au(N55 Balung), Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan(N56 Apas) and Datuk Edward Khoo (Kepayan). The rest of the incumbents are Abdul Rahim Bakri(P167 Kudat), Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin(P175 Papar), Datuk Anifah Aman(P176 Kimanis), Raimie Unggi(P181 Tenom), Datuk Ronald Kiandee(P183 Beluran), Datuk Juslie Ajirol(P184 Libaran), Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin(P187 Kinabatangan), Datuk Mohd Shafie Haji Apdal(P189 Semporna), Datuk Lajim Hj Ukin(177 Beaufort) and Datuk Seri Panglima Ghafur Haji Salleh(P191 Kalabakan). The casualties were senior UMNO leaders namely, Datuk Mohd Salleh Tun Said, Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob, Datuk Samsu Baharum Abdul Rahman, Datuk Amir Kahar Tun Datu Mustapha, Datuk Masrani Parman, Tan Sri Pandikar Haji Amin Mulia, Datuk Surinam Haji Sadikun, Datuk Aklee Haji Abas, Datuk Jaya Raudah, Datuk Mohd Lan Allani, Basalie Haji Abdul Hamid, Mohd Kamil Kassim and Datuk Dr Patawari Patawe. Another component party, PBS, retained all its candidates both for Parliamentary and State seats but brought in additional two new faces. Datuk Dr Maximus gave way to a newcomer, Tandek PBS Wanita Chief Anita Lasiah Baranting, to stand in his N5 Tandek constituency but will defend his P168 Kota Marudu parliamentary seat. Former Resource and IT Development Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai handed over P172 Kota Kinabalu to his protege Chin Teck Ming but retained his N15 Api Api State seat. Party President Datuk Seri Panglima Pairin Kitingan was the only retained incumbent who will contest in both parliamentary and state seats. SAPP retained all its state candidates but in the Tawau parliamentary seat, incumbent Shim Paw Fatt was dropped and replaced by Tawau SAPP Women Chief Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui. The other parliamentary seat in Sepanggar is being defended by Datuk Eric Majimbun. Yong who has expressed interest in contesting, in not among the SAPP candidates. Musa in announcing the candidates yesterday said the new line-up represents a new mix between the experienced and the new leaders who complement each other. “These are the best choices, combining the seasoned ones who will share their experiences with the new ones who will inject new energetic ideas for the interest of the BN and the people. Our hope is to continue to work together and ensure continuous development,” he said, stressing that there will be no back-stabbing in BN. With the new line-up, he said BN is confident of repeating its 2004 victory and could win by a bigger majority in the March 8 elections. With candidates from other BN component parties yet to be announced, Musa reassured that the BN would maintain the previous seats allocation and no additional seat will be given to any component party. The lists of candidates for LDP, PBRS and UPKO are still being finalized by BN Chairman Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and the decision is expected to be announced today, according to Musa.
