Tuaran: There was excitement at the Nomination Centre (PPC) at Dewan Seri Sulaman Saturday with thousands of supporters from various parties providing support for their respective candidates.
Four seats were at stake, namely Sulaman, Tamparuli, Kiulu and Pantai Dalit, all within the Tuaran parliamentary constituency. The Sulaman DUN seat sees a five-cornered contest with Chief Minister and Chairman of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor squaring off against four rivals.
They are Dr Shahnon Rizal Thaijuddin from Barisan Nasional (BN), Moktar Hussin (Warisan), Pajudin Nordin from Parti Impian Sabah (PIS) and Tiaminah @ Siti Aminah Ele (Perikatan Nasional).
In the 16th outing, Hajiji defended the seat with a majority of 3,099 votes in a three-cornered contest. He has never lost the seat since 1994, making him one of the longest-serving elected representatives running for office.
Two other key seats in the Tuaran parliamentary constituency, Tamparuli and Kiulu, each witnessed 13-corner and 8-corner contests, respectively, in the 17th Sabah PRN.
For Tamparuli, former senior university lecturer Dr Bonaventure Boniface is representing Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to replace incumbent, Datuk Jahid Jahim.
He faces Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau (Upko), who is also the Tuaran Member of Parliament.
Other candidates are Dr Gaim @ James Lunkapi from Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM), Jinitoh Sontori from Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star), Julia Ongkili (PIS), and Lee Han Kyun @ Joseph Lee (Warisan).
Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri has fielded Arthur Erik Lee while Parti Rumpun has nominated Aliusus Sipil.
Five independent candidates are also in the competition – Vun Yun Fook, Samson S. Koroh @ Razali Suffian, Johan Jahid, Andrew Mali and Raymond Alfred @ Jenry.
For Kiulu, incumbent Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, who represents GRS is defending his position against seven challengers.
Joniston, who is also Information Chief of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and GRS, is being challenged by Joisin Romut (Upko), Terence Sinti of Star, Niyky @ Niky J. Bosikol (PIS), Saibin Gunsari (Warisan), and KDM’s footballer-turned-politician Henry Saimpon.
Two other candidates competing against Joniston are Trevor Kenneth Maringking (Parti Anak Negeri) and Dusi Gingging from Parti Kebangsaan Sabah (PKS).
Pantai Dalit sees a seven-cornered contest, with GRS fielding incumbent, Datuk Jasnih Daya. Warisan is represented by Datuk Aliasgar @ Ali Ashgar Basri, Liam Tawil (PIS), Mohd Zulkernain Osman (Perikatan Nasional), Jaesman @ Jaess Gipin (KDM), Francis Fahir (STAR), and BN presented Alfian Sambas.
Eligible voters total 1,784,843 consisting of 1,760,417 regular voters, 11,697 military personnel and their spouses and 12,729 police personnel and their spouses.
