PENAMPANG: Moyog is set to be a key battleground in the Nov 29 state election as Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) are contesting despite an earlier understanding between the two coalitions.
PH is represented by Sabah PKR Deputy Information Chief Remysta Jimmy Taylor, 37, who arrived early at the nomination centre, but declined to comment on the party’s late decision to field him.
“It is a democracy and anyone has the right to contest. I was informed by the leadership just two days ago that I would be given the watikah,” said Remysta, adding he is confident PH’s record and presence would help retain the seat.
GRS has fielded Parti Bersatu Sabah youth leader and engineer Joeynood Aiiko Ronald C. Bansin, 36, who confirmed his nomination came only recently.
The 12-cornered fight also features Warisan Vice-President Terrence Siambun, the Moyog assemblyman from 2013 to 2018.
Terrence previously won the seat under PKR with 7,462 votes, securing 50.25 per cent of the total.
Upko Deputy President Datuk Donald Peter Mojuntin, also a former assemblyman, is returning to contest the seat.
Other candidates in Moyog include Joseph Suleiman (Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku – Star), Francis Mojikon (Perikatan Nasional – PN), Richard Ronald Dompok (Parti Kebangsaan Sabah – PKS), Walter Norbert Johnny (Parti Bumi Kenyalang – PBK), Cleftus Stephen Sipain (Parti Impian Sabah – PIS), Mckery Victor Ninin (Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat – PKDM) and independents Peter Maurice Lidadun and Ricky Richard.
Donald’s return adds significance to Moyog, where past elections have shifted between Warisan and Upko.
Warisan previously won the seat through Jenifer Lasimbang in 2018 and Darell Leiking in 2020, who is not defending this time.
In Kapayan, DAP Incumbent Datuk Jannie Lasimbang is seeking a third consecutive term in a record 13-corner fight.
Her main challengers include Warisan’s Chin Tek Ming, Upko’s Billy Joe Dominic, Star’s Bernard A Logijin and former Kapayan assemblyman Dr Edwin Jack Bosi (PKDM). Bosi was formerly with DAP and later contested under PBS in the 2020 state election.
Other candidates for Kapayan are Lasius Miki (Perjuangan Rakyat), Sylvester Molukun (Aspirasi), Len Lip Fong (Independent), Chin Ling Ling (PIS), Sabariah Aziz (Independent), Cyril Gerald Liew (Independent – Black Wave), Kuo Lee On (PBK) and Wong Kong Fooh (Parti Kebangsaan Anak Negeri).
