SABAH Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun has welcomed the prospect of contesting against candidates from his former Bersatu party in the Karanaan constituency in the upcoming state election.
“This country, including our state, practices democracy. Anyone can contest, even in my constituency. We welcome it wholeheartedly. If they feel confident and think they have a chance to win, they’re welcome to try,” he told reporters at a function in Kota Kinabalu.
Masidi said political competition should not be taken personally.
“This is an electoral contest, not a physical fight. Here, we practice respectful and friendly politics,” he said.
When asked if Gabungan Rakyat Sabah’s (GRS) local roots give him an edge over Bersatu, Masidi said the decision was left to the voters.
“I’m not being overconfident, but from what I’ve observed, the people still support us,” he said.
He added that this belief stems from his regular interactions with constituents during visits to his hometown.
Masidi's comments follow recent remarks by Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin, who announced plans for a comeback in Sabah during the state election.
Hamzah claimed that Bersatu had strengthened its base in Sabah in the last five years and hinted at reclaiming seats it won in the 2020 state election, including Karanaan.
Hamzah also noted that Bersatu is still in existence following the exodus of its leaders including Masidi after the general election in 2022.
Masidi, who is now the deputy president of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat), played a key role in bringing Bersatu to Sabah on April 6, 2019.
He, along with Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, spearheaded Bersatu’s entry into the state after leaving Umno.
They later won the state election in 2020 under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah alliance, along with Barisan Nasional and PBS.
In 2022, Masidi and Hajiji exited Bersatu following Perikatan Nasional’s failure to form the federal government after the 15th General Election.
Their departure from Bersatu stemmed from the shaky federal government which required Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional to work together to form the Madani Government in support of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the prime minister.
The two later took over Gagasan Rakyat to be part of the ruling GRS coalition. - January 22, 2025
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