PANDIKAR AMIN IN 11-CORNERED FIGHT FOR PINTASAN

KOTA BELUD, Nov 15 (Bernama) -- Former Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, who is also United Sabah National Organisation (USNO) president, is in a 11-cornered fight for the Pintasan state seat in the 17th Sabah State Election.

He is contesting under Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and is challenged by Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Tadzul Radim, Awang Salleh Makmud of Perikatan Nasional (PN), Raplin Samat of Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR), Abdullah Otong of WARISAN, Datuk Almudin Kaida of Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM), Lomog Rudin @ Efejus Rudin of Parti Impian Sabah (PIS) and four independent candidates.

The independent candidates are Mohd Rizal Saiman, Syarif Mohd Shukree Danchingan, Tajuddin Padis and the incumbent Datuk Fairuz Renddan, who is contesting as an Independent after not being renominated by GRS.

Meanwhile, a seven-cornered clash will take place for the Tempasuk state seat, involving incumbent Datuk Mohd Arsad Bistari (GRS), John Samud (KDM), Dr Rimin Maun of Parti Kebangsaan Sabah (PKS), Azuwan Marjan @ Norjan (BN), Timuti Majitol (PIS), Mohd Khidir Lamsil (WARISAN) and Walter Mark Mukis (STAR).Former Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Salleh Said Keruak (BN), who is also Sabah UMNO treasurer, is defending the Usukan seat in a six-cornered contest against Jaefris Muadis (PIS), Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis (WARISAN), Ajun Meliyon (Independent), Datuk Japlin Akim (GRS) and Mohd Lin Harun (STAR).

Eight candidates, UPKO president Datuk Ewon Benedick, Norman Simon (WARISAN), Judin Tingih (Parti Bangsa Malaysia), Daibi Mandadi (PIS), James Muyau (GRS), Davylandon Rubbin (STAR), Josley Taising (KDM) and Priskila Akwila Sinem of Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri (Anak Negeri), will be vying for the Kadamaian seat.

The names of the candidates were announced by Returning Officer Peter Jiton after the nomination process at the Dewan Masyarakat Tun Said Keruak here today.

-- BERNAMA