Sabah polls: Teacher vs. student is main focus in Bongawan

THOUGH the Bongawan State Legislative Assembly (DUN) seat will face a nine-cornered contest, the focus is on the competition involving former Foreign Minister, Tan Sri Anifah Aman (Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) against Deputy Foreign Minister, Datuk Mohamad Alamin who represents Barisan Nasional (BN).

The competition between teacher and student has attracted attention though the incumbent of the Bongawan seat is Dr Daud Yusof from Warisan.

Speaking to the media, Anifah admitted that Mohamad is his protégé whom he brought in while he was with Umno until he became a candidate for the Kimanis parliamentary seat.

Anifah believes that if the 17th Sabah State Election (PRN) contest was only two-cornered, he can defeat Mohamad any time.

"He (Mohamad) has never been popular, but I have always supported him. If he only serves one term as MP (Kimanis), I feel sorry for him because he is still young,".

In the Sabah state election to be held on November 29, Anifah will face a nine-cornered fight, including against Mohamad.

Also defending the seat is the incumbent, Dr Daud Yusof (Warisan) who defeated Anifah in the 16th Sabah state election in 2020 with a majority of 1,802 votes.

Anifah said his words were not meant to belittle his protégé, but rather that he knew who Mohamad and he were.

"I don't mean to sound arrogant, but I know who he is and who I am," he said.

Anifah said that although the Bongawan seat is a close contest, he hopes that his extensive experience as a minister and MP will help him gain the support he needs in the Sabah state election.

He also said that he has big plans for Bongawan, which he hopes to implement using his experience if given the mandate.

"I know who I am and I know what I am capable of doing," he said. - November 20, 2025