SABAH POLLS: KIULU INCUMBENT TOUTS TRACK RECORD, DISMISSES SENTIMENT POLITICS 

TUARAN, Nov 24 (Bernama) -- Incumbent for the Kiulu seat Datuk Joniston Bangkuai is highly confident that the momentum of support for him and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) will remain strong ahead of polling day for the 17th Sabah State Election on Nov 29.

According to him, his performance record is more important than political rhetoric, while the encouraging response throughout his campaign series shows that the people understand the state government’s continuous efforts to develop Kiulu, especially in the tourism and agriculture sectors.

“In Kiulu there are eight candidates, each offering promises and so on, but for me as the incumbent, I am simply continuing on what we have already done and what is currently in progress,” he said.

He said this to reporters after attending Kiulu's “Rumah Kita, Kita Jaga” campaign event, which was also attended by Sabah Chief Minister and GRS Chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, near here today.

Joniston said that many matters promised by other candidates are actually already in the process of being implemented, and the people of Kiulu are increasingly aware of the significant developments that have taken place since GRS took over the administration five years ago.

“If they want to talk about agricultural roads, developing agriculture — everything is already underway. If they want to talk about tourism development — everything is already underway. They are only beginning to talk about these matters, while I am already implementing everything they are mentioning,” he said.

He also rejected the sentiments hurled at him and the ruling coalition, which claimed that GRS was colluding with a party from Peninsular Malaysia.

“That is not what the people want to hear. The people want to hear what we can do to help them, not the playing of sentiments,” he said.

His main focus, he added, is to advance Kiulu’s economy through the tourism sector, fertile land, and rural development potential.

Commenting on the competition among local parties, he said GRS is the most effective platform for uniting local parties.

GRS’ capability, he said, has already been proven through its ability to secure greater revenue for Sabah via a negotiation-based approach, including through cooperation with Petronas.

He added that these tangible outcomes demonstrate that firm and structured negotiations provide clear returns for the people of Sabah.

For the latest news on the 17th Sabah State Election, please visit the PRN Sabah portal.  

-- BERNAMA