Multi-cornered fight in Penampang expected
PENAMPANG: Barisan Nasional (BN) is expecting a multi-cornered fight in Penampang for the 14th General Election (GE14).
Upko secretary-general Datuk Dr Donald Peter Mojuntin predicted that there would be at least ‘two to three’ candidates that would face off in the respected seats under the constituency, basing his opinion of the ‘indecisiveness’ of the opposition.
“I cannot predict what the opposition would do, but, judging by what we hear from the ground and social media and certain friends, (you can see that) the opposition has not even decided yet. They are very indecisive on their candidates.
“Some opposition leaders who are in one party have recently jumped to other opposition parties, so I cannot honestly say. But, Malaysia is democratic so anyone can come and contest.
“I suspect that there will be a few, at least two of three,” Mojuntin told reporters when met at the launching of the Sepakat Negaraku Komuniti 1 Malaysia Mobile CTC event at Kampung Gawir, Madsiang.
Mojuntin, who is also the Penampang BN chief, had also reiterated his preparedness to contest in GE14, stressing that he would most likely be contesting in the Moyog state seat or possibly, even the Penampang parliamentary seat.
“It could be Moyog or it could be the Penampang parliamentary seat as well. In politics, you can never be certain. Even though it has been listed, there can (still) be last minute changes.
“As of this moment, I am more towards standing for Moyog ... that is all I can say for now,” he explained.
The Penampang parliamentary seat as well as its state seats, Moyog and Kapayan were all won by the opposition during the 13th general election.
These seats are currently held by Parti Warisan Sabah leaders Darrel Leiking and Terrence Siambun and Parti Anak Negeri’s Edwin Bosi respectively.
However, all three had initially contested under different political parties. Leiking and Siambun contested under the Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s ticket while Bosi under Democratic Action Party (DAP).
This time around, Malaysian Chinese Association’s (MCA) Datuk Francis Goh is expected to face DAP’s Jannie Lasimbang in Kapayan while Siambun is rumored to be moving to another constituency.
As for the Penampang parliamentary seat, Leiking is expected to face Upko’s 28-year-old Caesar Mandela Malakun.
On the call to field young candidates for GE14, Mojuntin said if BN were to do that, it would prove that the party is not leaving out the younger generation in the country’s decision making.
“In fact their (the younger generation) opinions and inputs are much needed and appreciated.
“Their dynamism, innovation and creativity is needed to make our country and state more progressive and more competitive (in line with) the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” he told said.
When asked about BN’s preparation for GE14, Mojuntin asserted that the party’s machinery had started working since the past three years.