Sabah polls: Sindumin sees 10-cornered fight, Lumadan 6

SIPITANG (Nov 15): A total of 16 candidates will contest the Sindumin and Lumadan state seats in Sipitang for the 17th Sabah State Election, according to Returning Officer (RO) Abdul Karim A.M. Zahari.

Ten candidates are vying for the Sindumin seat, making it one of the most crowded contests in this election.

The candidates are Markus Buas (Parti Impian Sabah–PIS), Abdillah Jalaf (Independent), Ibrahim Tuah (Independent), Yusri Pungut (Warisan), Datuk Yamani Hafez (Pakatan Harapan–PH), Wilson Liou (Independent), Kanafia Bujang (Parti Kebangsaan Sabah–PKS), Moktar Matussin (STAR), Dayang Syafiqah (PN), and Sani Miasin (KDM).

Meanwhile, six candidates will compete for the Lumadan seat, Mohammad Norizhuan Awang (Warisan), Abdul Jarih Okin (KDM), Amit Basrin (STAR), Datuk Ruslan Muharam (GRS), Datuk Mohd Nazri Abdullah (BN), and Jurinah Nasir (PIS).

A key highlight in Sindumin is the absence of incumbent Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob, who will not be defending the seat this time.

Instead, PH is fielding Datuk Yamani Hafez, a familiar name among Sipitang voters, having served as their MP in 2018.

His previous tenure is expected to give him an edge in the tightly contested race.

Dr Yusof was also spotted lending support to Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) candidate for Lumadan, Datuk Ruslan Muharam, shortly before Ruslan entered the nomination centre to submit his papers.