(Kota Kinabalu, 30th) Several political families in Sabah demonstrated their influence in the 17th state election, with the family of former Sabah governor Tun Musa Aman making impressive gains—four members succeeded in being elected as state assemblymen. Meanwhile, the president of Warisan, Datuk Seri Shafie, and his brother Datuk Yusof were both elected.
Musa Aman’s two sons stood under the banners of GRS and PKR, resulting in one victory and one defeat. His son Hazim Mubarak, contesting for the first time under GRS in Sungai Manila, won; his other son Yamani Hafez, who ran for Sindumin representing PKR, lost.
In addition, two of Musa Aman’s nephews also contested under GRS and STAR, likewise ending with one win and one loss. Annuar Ayub, who won the Liawan seat in the last election representing STAR, ran again this time as a direct candidate of GRS but was defeated by Musa Aman’s cousin Datuk Nizam Nazri representing UMNO. Another nephew, Annuar Ayub’s brother Mohd Isa, won the Bingkor seat representing STAR.
Musa Aman’s brother and GRS PBRS president Tan Sri Anifah Aman was defeated in the Royal Bay constituency; his son-in-law Mohd Arifin, running for GRS in the Wangmakut seat, also lost. However, the father-in-law of Musa Aman’s late son, Datuk Seri Kurup Haidar, succeeded in defending Kaukong for GRS.
Meanwhile, Warisan president Shafie successfully defended the Senallang seat, and his brother Yusof also won in Sinalang, letting the two brothers retain two seats for Warisan.
In northern Sabah, all three Bahanda siblings from the Rungus ethnic group were defeated. Their brother, STARSABAH deputy president Datuk Wetrom, switched constituencies but lost in Matunggong to incumbent GRS assemblywoman Datuk Julita Majungki.
Wetrom’s sister, GRS Women’s chief Datuk Ratna, contested for the first time in Wanlaw and lost. Wetrom’s brother, Datuk Verdon Bahanda, leader of the Black Tide Movement, also lost in Tanjung Kapor running as an independent.
Datuk Yong Teck Lee, SAPP president who withdrew from GRS prior to nominations, fielded his two children as candidates for the first time but both were defeated: son Yong Yit Chee in Likas and daughter Yong Yit Hung in Sigamai.
Incumbent Keningau Harmony Party’s assemblyman Datuk Peter Anthony, who was jailed for document forgery, was replaced by his daughter Perlisra in this election, but she too lost in trying to defend the seat.
Robert Tawik, the incumbent Bingkor assemblyman who left STAR and joined GRS, did not contest this election. His son Raffy Robert, who followed him into GRS, failed to defend the seat, losing to STAR candidate Datuk Mohd Isa.
Incumbent Tanjung Keramat assemblyman Datuk Shahelmy, whose membership in UMNO was frozen for supporting GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji’s leadership, did not contest. Instead, his brother Shaelphy Yaminsha ran for GRS and won.
Similarly, incumbent Tanjung Batu assemblyman Andy Suwadi, expelled from BN for supporting Hajiji, did not run. His cousin Andy Rizal ran for GRS in the same constituency and succeeded in defending the seat.
Former Sukau assemblyman Datuk Seri Limun Angin, who left STAR to run under the GRS banner, lost to PBS’s Datuk Seri Arthur Kurup, while his son Jordan Jude, who also left STAR and contested as an independent, won the Tulid seat in a 14-way fight.
Faiziyah, daughter of Kadazan political family and Sabah’s first Chief Minister Fuad Stephens, ran for Warisan in Bingkor but was unable to win.