Kota kinabalu: Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) today unveiled 41 candidates, comprising mostly new and young faces, while retaining several experienced leaders to contest in the 17th State Election at the end of this month. Sabah BN chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin said the selected candidates represent a comprehensive slate aimed at ensuring Sabah progresses in a more structured, prosperous and inclusive manner.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Bung Moktar expressed confidence that the blend of seasoned leaders with fresh faces and highly qualified young candidates will provide a significant advantage in steering Sabah towards a brighter and more competitive future. He announced that the list is not final and remains subject to ongoing developments, with additional names expected to be revealed later.
He added that the lineup is further strengthened by the candidates’ strong academic qualifications, with the majority holding bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, and two of them being medical doctors. This selection process aimed to ensure that the candidates are not only experienced but also intellectually and professionally qualified, capable of driving the state’s economic, technological, and social development agendas with greater competence and credibility.
Bung Moktar emphasized BN’s commitment to drive Sabah’s development by enhancing rural and infrastructure growth, creating employment opportunities, increasing the people’s income, and strengthening the education system and human capital. These efforts are in line with the spirit of ensuring regional equality consistent with the essence of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
Today’s announcement includes five incumbents defending their respective seats: Datuk Harun Durabi (Bengkoka), Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak (Usukan), Datuk Yakub Khan (Karambunai), Datuk Jafry Ariffin (Sukau), and Bung Moktar himself in Lamag. Additionally, former Minister of Housing and Local Government Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan and Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup will contest state seats for the first time, in Tempasuk and Sook respectively.
Several other notable figures are returning to the political arena, such as Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin, who will contest the Bongawan seat after his defeat in 2018, and former Sabah Assistant Minister of Industrial Development Datuk Bolkiah Ismail, who has been named the candidate for the Pitas seat.
Bung Moktar further announced that Sabah BN would reveal another five to six ‘special seats’, featuring new faces and young individuals, as part of the party’s strategy. He assured that Sabah BN was allocated 47 seats and there would be no clashes with Pakatan Harapan in the upcoming state elections.
Commenting on Abdul Rahman’s nomination for the Tempasuk state seat, Bung Moktar highlighted his advantage due to his previous service as the Member of Parliament for Kota Belud. He also emphasized the bold step taken by Sabah BN by fielding 85 percent new candidates, including young professionals, to demonstrate the party’s readiness to make significant changes in development efforts to lift Sabah out of poverty.
Bung Moktar concluded by stating that the move reflects the party’s commitment to providing young leaders the opportunity to work alongside experienced figures, ensuring that BN remains aligned with the aspirations of Sabah’s youth, who make up 65 percent of the voters. ‘We are giving them the opportunity and platform to contest, and afterwards they can play their role as elected representatives (if elected) in policymaking for the state’s development,’ he said.