LAHAD DATU – Independent Riduan Rubin, who is running for the Tenom seat, did not escape Sabah Umno chief Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin’s scathing remarks, despite the candidate’s father’s stature.
Bung Moktar said Tenom risks not getting development funds if voters back Riduan, as backing an independent is akin to voting for the opposition.
He added that this means all allocations to develop Tenom will not be obtained as opposed to when the electorate there votes for Barisan Nasional (BN).
“There is no benefit in supporting independent candidates. Even if they win, they cannot form a government or have clear directions.
“But it is clear to others that the candidate, who is only supported by his own family, is protecting his personal politics.
“In the end, voters will suffer the consequences,” he said in his speech during a meet-the-people event at Dewan Tun Mustapha here today.
Earlier, Bung Moktar said he has evidence that Riduan’s father, Datuk Rubin Balang, who is also Kemabong assemblyman, has helped support his candidacy in Tenom.
Bung Moktar, who is also Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, said Rubin accompanied his son to the nomination centre on November 5.
He said Rubin was seen last Friday handing over Riduan’s membership application for Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM).
“The intention to join KDM is to pull its supporters to back Riduan and deny victory for BN’s Tenom candidate, Jamawi Jaafar.”
Rubin, who is a Bersatu man, yesterday slammed Bung for demanding the state government to remove him from any positions he is holding in government-linked companies.
Last Saturday, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor said he would not act against Rubin until after obtaining a full report on the latter’s alleged role in his son’s political ambitions.
GRS-BN heads the state government.
It is a five-corner fight in Tenom as incumbent and Pakatan Harapan candidate Noorita Sual staves off competition from Jamawi, Riduan, Warisan’s Ukim Buandi and another independent candidate Peggy Chaw Zhi Ting. – The Vibes, November 14, 2022
