Kunak: The Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate for the Kunak seat, Datuk Seri Dr Anil Sandhu, is confident of securing voter support despite coming from a minority background and being the only Sikh candidate in the 17th Sabah State Election. Campaigning under the slogan ‘Rebuild Kunak’, Anil, 40, said ethnicity would not be a barrier to winning the hearts of Kunak voters because he is not an ‘outsider’ but a native of the area, with strong ties to a district whose majority population comprises Bajau and Suluk communities.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anil emphasized that his confidence also reflects the principle of equality in the Malaysia MADANI family, which is practised in Kunak regardless of ethnic background. The Sabah UMNO Youth treasurer shared with BERNAMA his long-term economic development vision for Kunak, proposing that the existing Kunak Port be expanded into a container port capable of transforming the district’s economic landscape.
He said the port’s sea depth of 8,534.4 metres is suitable for large cargo vessels, including the export of mineral resources from Sabah’s East Coast. Currently, Kunak Port only exports downstream products such as cooking oil and crude palm oil. Anil is confident that opening a container port could provide jobs to about 800 locals, thereby reducing unemployment in Sabah.
Anil noted, ‘Kunak’s location, situated between the major towns of Lahad Datu, Tawau and Semporna, is strategic. The port area is already deep enough, so no dredging is required. With the government’s minimum wage, plus overtime, working in Kunak is enough to support one’s livelihood.’
Anil, who is also a BN Malaysia Youth Executive Council member, highlighted that the Pan Borneo Highway passing through Kunak would act as a catalyst to transform the transport network and further boost the local economy. Beyond his economic vision, Anil’s commitment to the welfare of Kunak residents remains steadfast. Since 2018, he and his team have been actively distributing aid on the ground.
He said the assistance provided included more than 10,000 food baskets, death benefits, gravel donations, educational aid and equipment such as fans and water tanks. Much of the aid is funded through his own business, including a programme that distributes 1,500 food baskets each month.
Located about 500 kilometres from Kota Kinabalu, the Kunak seat has 24,854 registered voters, and is one of the constituencies in the Lahad Datu parliamentary constituency, alongside Tungku, Segama and Silam. Polling has been set for Nov 29 and early voting on Nov 25.