KOTA KINABALU: Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) Silam candidate has withdrawn from the state election in an effort to avoid clashes with coalition partners, said PH election coordinator Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution.
Abdul Halim Sidek Gulam Hassan sparked confusion when he filed his nomination under PKR only to step aside two days later while his brother contests in neighbouring Tungku under GRS.
Saifuddin said the decision was made to strengthen the coalition’s overall chances as PH is contesting fewer than a third of Sabah’s 73 seats.
Saifuddin, speaking after a walkabout with PH's Api-Api candidate Thonny Chee, said Thonny would present a candidate charter focused on key priorities and constant accessibility as PH works to retain the seat.
He also advised voters to stay alert during the northeast monsoon, noting that hazardous areas have been mapped out and 10,000 police personnel deployed to ensure public safety.
