KOTA KINABALU, Nov 9 — Sabah Barisan Nasional (BN) today unveiled a list of 41 candidates for the state election, a slate that sees top leaders like Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan, and Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak return to the fray while fulfilling its promise to field mostly new faces.

Bung, who is the Sabah Umno chairman, will defend his Lamag seat, while his deputy, Abdul Rahman, will contest the Tempasuk seat in his former Kota Belud parliamentary constituency.

Umno election director Salleh will also defend his Usukan seat.

Other incumbents returning to defend their constituencies include Datuk Yakubah Khan (Karambunai), Datuk Jafry Arifin (Sukau), and Datuk Harun Durabi (Bengkoka).

Among other notable candidates, Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) president Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup will contest the Sook seat, his first foray into the state election.

In a key strategic move, BN will field Datuk Jeffrey Nor Mohamed in the Tanjung Keramat seat, replacing caretaker deputy chief minister and party defector Datuk Shahelmey Yahya.

New blood

Confirming his previous pledge, Bung noted that the list consists of about 80 per cent new faces.

“The line-up of candidates we are presenting today is strengthened by their high level of education, extensive experience, and ability to drive change. The majority of our candidates hold bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees, with two of them being medical doctors. This proves that Barisan Nasional is not only offering experienced candidates but also those who are intellectually and professionally capable.”

“I want to emphasise that BN Sabah remains firmly committed to advancing the state’s development — beginning with rural areas, infrastructure, job opportunities, income growth, as well as strengthening education and human capital.”

He also hinted that the list is not yet final, stating that a few more seats could be decided in the week leading up to the election.

A big push

Currently, Umno holds eleven seats in the state assembly, not including two nominated assemblymen. In the 2020 state election, the party won 14 seats after contesting 32 under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) pact.

Aside from Umno, BN’s component party MCA will also field one candidate, Kevin Lee Sip Kin, who is contesting in Tanjung Kapor.

BN’s list of candidates also include two non-Muslim candidates - Lajji Ompongoh (Nabawan) and Benedict Asmat (Telupid), both of which are mixed race seats of non-Muslim natives.

BN’s full list of candidates are: Normala Rasik (Banggi), Datuk Bolkiah Ismail (Pitas), Tadzul Radim (Pintasan), Dr Shahnon Rizal Thaijuddin (Sulaman), Alfian Sambas (Pantai Dalit), Arfandy Abdul Rahman (Darau), Jeffery Nor Mohamed (Tanjung Keramat), Datuk Jamal Norubit @ Nerub (Kawang), Redzuan Ismail @ Gari (Pantai Manis), Datuk Mohamad Al-Amin (Bongawan), Rusman Dulamit (Membakut), and Osin Jilon (Klias).

Others include Datuk Awang Aslee Laka (Kuala Penyu), Datuk Mohd Nazri Abdullah (Lumadan), Japirin Sahadi (Kundasang), Nadzmin Kamin (Karanaan), Datuk Jemadi @ Junaidi Sahat (Paginatan), Datuk Nik Mohd Nadzri Nik Zawawi (Liawan),  , Mohammad Arifin Pachuk (Sugut), Yusuf Latif (Labuk), Zaini Tiksun (Sungai Manila), Datuk Suhaimi Nasir (Sungai Sibuga), Mohd Zharif Aizat Datuk Samsuddin (Sekong), Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (Lamag), Datuk Jafry Ariffin (Sukau), Saleha Wahid (Tungku), Sharif Musa Sharif Mabul (Silam), Dato’ Sri Anil Jeet Singh (Kunak), Abdul Manan Indanan (Bugaya), Erwan Palateh (Balung), Dr Elmiariezan Ardan (Apas), Haji Samsasuddin Yusop (Tanjung Batu), and Aslan Fadli Samsul Alang (Sebatik).