Kota Kinabalu: There were boos and jeers when Hajiji announced Pandikar as the GRS candidate for the Pintasan seat.
Despite the heckling, Pandikar, a former Dewan Rakyat speaker proceeded to the stage while raising his cane above his head.
Adding to the drama was Pandikar’s wife, Puan Sri Diana Diego who was announced as the GRS candidate for the Sekong seat — a move that sparked further reaction among attendees and political observers.
They made Sabah political history by contesting as a married couple.
Political analysts say the decision to field both Pandikar and his wife could raise questions about candidate selection within GRS, particularly at a time when the coalition is seeking to project unity and renewal ahead of the polls.
Incumbent Pintasan Assemblyman Datuk Fairuz Renddan, a former state youth and sports minister, has yet to issue a formal statement on his exclusion, though his supporters’ reaction at the event made clear their disappointment by wearing black.
Later, Pandikar said he was willing to wager that he would clinch the seat on Nov 29.
“My comment is this, I will win. You want to bet with me? Anyone wants to bet with me that I’ll win?” he said, reported Sinar Harian.
Pandikar recalled his narrow defeat in the 2020 state election when he lost to Perikatan Nasional’s Fairuz , who is now with Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, by only 84 votes.
“At that time, I was caught between Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional. I received 2,660 votes and lost by just 84,” he said.
“Now, I’m a candidate from the ruling coalition.”
