FRIDAY-22 FEBRUARY 2008- MORE WOMEN CANDIDATES TO WOO FEMALE VOTERS

More women candidates to woo female voters

KOTA KINABALU:

More women candidates are fielded in the 12th General Election to woo the sizable female voters in the State. Of the seven women who will be contesting in the March 8 poll, three are new faces, namely Sabah Progressive Party’s Wanita Chief Datuk Chua Soon Bui, Parti Bersatu Sabah’s Tandek Wanita chief Anita Baranting and Umno Kalabakan Wanita chief Datuk Hamisah Samad. Dubbed the SAPP iron lady, Chua, who is also the former Tawau Member of Parliament, was picked by the party leadership to replace the incumbent, Shim Paw Fatt, who won the seat in the 2004 general election. Another new face, Baranting was given the mandate by PBS president Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan to replace incumbent Tandek assemblyman Datuk Maximus Ongkili. Ongkili had in previous election held two seats “the Tandek State and Kota Marudu Parliamentary seats. he, however, retained the MP seat. Hamisah, on another hand. will be contesting for the Tanjong Batu seat, replacing the incumbent, Mohd Kamil Kassim. All the existing women candidates would be defending their seats, except for Datuk Azizah Mohd Dun whose seat was swapped with Datuk Seri Panglima Lajim Ukin. Azizah, the incumbent Beaufort Member of Parliament was replaced by Lajim, while she took over the latter’s Klias State seat. The three other remaining women candidates are Jainab Datuk Seri Panglima Ahmad Ayid (N12Karambunai-Umno); Jornah Mozihim(N4 Matunggong-PBS); and Melanie Chia (N16 Luyang SAPP).

FRIDAY-22 FEBRUARY 2008- CHIN GRATEFUL FOR CHANCE TO CONTEST KK SEAT

Chin grateful for chance to contest KK seat

KOTA KINABALU:

Chin Teck Ming, who is making his debut in the March 8 general election, yesterday thanked PBS President Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan and incumbent Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai for giving him the opportunity to contest the Kota Kinabalu parliamentary seat. “I hope the rakyat (people) will give me a chance to serve them,” said Chin, who is a PBS Supreme Council member cum its Likas division chief. He also thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman for their trust in him to defend the seat. Born in Keningau and raised in Kota Belud, the 38-year-old practising lawyer is married to Chung Fui Ching. He is currently also the Chairman of Sabah Tshung Tsin Alumni Association, an exco member of Kota Kinabalu Hakka Association (KKHA), a governor of Institut Sinaran and Kota Kinabalu Chung Hwa School, legal adviser to the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) and deputy chairman of Board of Visitors for the Likas Hospital. Meanwhile, it is learned that the decision by the PBS leadership to replace Dr Yee with Chin was a move to ensure the said parliamentary seat, which is expected to see a stiff fight in the coming polls, will stay with the party. It is also regarded as a strategic move made by the PBS to keep the seat in view of the recent development in which SAPP President Datuk Yong Teck Lee indicated his interest to contest the seat.

FRIDAY-22 FEBRUARY 2008- MADIUS NOT DEFENDING TUARAN PARLIAMENT SEAT UPKO INCUMBENT GIVES WAY TO BUMBURING

Madius not defending Tuaran parliament seat UPKO incumbent gives way to Bumburing

KIULU:

Incumbent Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau is not defending the Tuaran parliamentary seat and gives way to UPKO Deputy. President Datuk Wilfred Bumburing to stand in the March 8 general election. “I am giving way to Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Bumburing to represent UPKO to contest in the Tuaran parliamentary seat as this is the decision of the party leadership,” he said during a seminar at the UPKO divisional office here yesterday. Madius said Bumburing, being the Deputy President of UPKO, would be able to carry on the struggle of the party more effectively if he is one of our elected representatives either in the State Assembly or Parliament. “I know there are some among our grassroots supporters who may find it hard to accept, but we should look at this change in a positive manner for the sake of our people and the party that represents our community and our interest. UPKO members should be professional and disciplined in their status and standing and should put the interest of the party first,” he said. “I therefore call upon all of you, branch leaders, to carry this message to all our members and supporters and carry on with the party’s struggle by ensuring that Datuk Wilfred Bumburing will be a victorious UPKO candidate and that UPKO Kiulu will give him even more number of votes than ever before,” said the party’s Secretary-General. About 150 grassroots leaders comprising the “Ketua Pusat Mengundi,” leaders from all UPKO Branches, The Komulakan, Wanita, Pemuda and Divisional Committee Members attended the one-day seminar. Bumburing, who also spoke at the function, expressed his utmost gratitude to Madius and UPKO members in Kiulu for their willingness to continue to support him as the BN candidate in Tuaran in the coming election. He said the wisdom behind the decision of the party leadership to have a different candidate for Tuaran constituency was done with great care and consideration. “I would like to extend my greatest appreciation and unfathomable thanks to Datuk Madius Tangau for giving me the chance to defend the Tuaran seat on behalf of UPKO and BN. I know it was a hard decision to make and it was even a harder issue to be understood by UPKO members in Kiulu,” he said. “I may not be able to catch up with the aggressiveness of Datuk Madius or be even on par with his academic qualifications and oratorical skills, but with your support and commitment, we would all be able to proudly defend the Tuaran seat for BN-UPKO and thereafter, I assure you, I will try to continue to be a good ‘Wakil Rakyat’ for everyone, including Kiulu, and to continue and pursue whatever socioeconomic programs that UPKO Kiulu have in place and have drawn up to be carried out in the future. “All the programs that have been put in place by Datuk Madius, which would bring good benefits to our community, will be continued and will be improved and synchronized with Tamparuli and Sulaman.” Bumburing also revealed that Madius has agreed to accept the post as BN Tuaran Election Operation Director and he will also be the proposer for his candidacy on nomination day. In .another development, Madius urged UPKO members and supporters in the Kiulu state constituency to uphold their loyalty to the party by voting for all Barisan Nasional candidates come polling day on March 8. Madius said the focus of our struggle should be the party and not the individuals. “UPKO is a party that represents our Kadazandusun-Murut community and the struggles of the party continue regardless of who is picked by the party to contest in any election,” he added.

FRIDAY-22 FEBRUARY 2008- PBS INCUMBENTS IN; PAIRIN SOLE TWO-SEAT CANDIDATE

PBS incumbents in; Pairin sole two-seat candidate

KOTA KINABALU:

There was little surprise yesterday as Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) released its list of candidates for the 12th General Election on March 8, retaining all its incumbents while adding two new faces to the fray. As expected, party president Datuk Seri Panglima Joseph Pairin Kitingan will defend both the Keningau parliamentary and Tambunan state seats, making him the only candidate in the State to do so. Previously, the other candidates to hold dual representation were deputy presidents Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai (Kota Kinabalu parliamentary, Api-Api state) and Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili (Kota Marudu parliamentary and Tandek state). Yee will now only defend his Api-Api seat, currently the only state seat under the Kota Kinabalu parliamentary constituency not occupied by a representative of Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP). Newcomer and practising lawyer Chin Teck Ming, who is also a PBS supreme council member and Likas division chief, will fill in to contest the vacant Kota Kinabalu parliamentary seat. Maximus on the other hand will defend only the Kota Marudu parliamentary seat, while another new face, PBS Tandek Wanita chief Anita Lasiah Baranting, was selected to stand in Tandek. The remaining 11 state and two parliamentary seats will see familiar faces returning to contest, including PBS stalwart and founding member Datuk Michael Asang forgoing his plans for retirement to contest for another term in the Labuk state seat. Speculations that Herbert Timbon Lagadan was pulling out of the elections were also quashed as he was confirmed to be defending the Kadamaian state seat. During an interview after Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman announced the list of Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates at his official residence in Sri Gaya yesterday, Pairin said the PBS incumbents have served the people well in the last term. “They have served the people well and we want to continue for the sake of the people, for the sake of the BN and for the continuation of programmes that have been planned by the Federal and State Governments. “When you have a good boat, don’t rock it I believe all of us are focusing on making sure that the BN Government is retained,” he said. Asked about the reaction of SAPP president Yong Teck Lee to the nomination of Chin for the Kota Kinabalu seat, Pairin said it was good of Yong to concede the seat to PBS. “He had discussed the matter with other BN component members and accepted the decision by the BN leadership. “I commend his move to make way for a PBS candidate. He is a leader who is unselfish and puts the interest of the people and the BN as a priority,” he said. Yong, a former PBS member, had stated openly his interest in the Kota Kinabalu seat in the few days before Musa released the BN list of candidates, raising doubts On the BN’s chances in retaining the seat if the right candidate was not selected. Pairin said that he does not see any reason for Chin not to win in Kota Kinabalu, so long as all the BN component parties in the area work together to retain the coalition’s hold on the seat. Chin meanwhile thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Musa for the opportunity to contest the city seat, and also Yee who he said had guided him along the way. “I will serve the community and give my very best to solve their problems,” he said when met at Sri Gaya.

FRIDAY-22 FEBRUARY 2008- 16 NEW FACES IN LINE-UP

16 New Faces in line-up

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.

FRIDAY-22 FEBRUARY 2008- DISAPPOINTED PANDIKAR FEELS SORRY FOR UMNO

Disappointed Pandikar feels sorry for UMNO

KOTA KINABALU:

Tempasuk incumbent Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Hj Mulia yesterday said he accepted his exclusion from the list of Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates for the coming elections, albeit with some reservations. The news, which followed the announcement by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman at his official residence in Sri Gaya here yesterday, sparked an uproar among Pandikar’s supporters who thronged his house at Jalan Istana to show their support. Pandikar, who calmly entertained his supporters and incessant number of phone calls, said he accepted the decision by the party leadership although he hinted of dissatisfaction in the manner it was done. “I did not expect that I would be dropped because I have sacrificed for the interests of the party (Umno), including disbanding Akar for the sake of Umno and the BN,” he said when met at his house yesterday. “I am also confident of bringing victory to BN in Tempasuk, so I do not really understand what criteria were used to select the candidate. “If the decision was made in the interest of cronies and solely for personal interest without taking into account what will happen at the grassroots, then we feel sorry for Umno. “However, as a party member, I abide by the decision of the party leadership,” he said. also United Sabah Bajau Organisation (USBO) secretary- general, said he was also unsure of the rationale behind the exclusion of Kota Belud parliamentary incumbent and USBO president Datuk Seri Panglima Salleh Tun Said and Banggi State incumbent cum USBO treasurer Datuk Amir Kahar Tun Mustapha from the list. “I don’t know. This is the decision made by the party leadership and I don’t know if this is an intentional move to push aside leaders from USBO. “As a person who has had experience leading a small party, I have never thought of stabbing anyone in the back. “If I fight, I fight from the front but it (fighting) has never crossed my mind or that of my colleagues,” he said. Pandikar nevertheless stressed that it is important for the candidates selected to replace him, and other leaders like Salleh, to fulfill “several criteria”. “Firstly, the candidates must be capable of giving a win to the BN. Secondly, the persons replacing the incumbents must be better in all aspects, in terms of quality of leadership, experience, education and support among other things. “This is what I understand in Umno, which is the candidate must be the best among the best,” he said.