SABAH POLLS | Three-term assemblyperson for Kuamut, Masiung Banah, is hoping to be re-elected in the Sabah polls this weekend despite the fact that he is not representing any party and contesting as an independent candidate.

Speaking to Bernama, Masiung (above) said throughout his tenure, he was proud to have successfully convinced the government to build roads that linked the many villages in the interior constituency such as Kampung Linayukan, Napagang, Menanam, Namukon, Minusoh, Penangah and Alitang, which used to be inaccessible.

“Yes, not all the villagers could enjoy clean water and electricity supply, but if compared to before, at least 50 percent of them have been able to enjoy those amenities now and this will be improved from time to time,” he said.

Masiung won in the 2018 elections comfortably as a BN-Upko candidate but subsequently switched camps to Warisan. He then left Warisan after allegedly pledging support to former chief minister Musa Aman.

Aspiring to see Tongod to be recognised as a rural sports development centre, as well as development and cultural exchange centre due to its location which is bordering eight other districts, Masiung also hoped to further develop the district as described in the Buku Suara Kuamut launched earlier.

The Buku Suara Kuamut is a phased development plan for the state constituency, encompassing both short-and long-term agenda, which he said could only be realised if the state government was aligned with the federal government.

“Kuamut, measuring 3,881 square miles, is the second-biggest state constituency in Malaysia. It is indeed not easy to reach out and provide basic infrastructure and amenities, such as road, water and electricity to the people because of the constituency’s mountainous geographical factors and the fact that the villages are located far from each other,” he said.

Masing is in a five-cornered fight against Benson Inggam (Upko), Mohd Mezsi Ng Abdullah (PCS), Juhari Janan (BN-Umno) and Atiung Tituh (Gagasan).

Describing his decision to contest as an independent candidate using the "key" symbol as more challenging compared to contesting under the Upko ticket, Masiung was still confident that the voters would stick with him as they had known him well for quite a long time.

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Meanwhile, BN-Umno candidate Juhari, 59, who is Persatuan Bangsa Sungai Sabah president, on the other hand, was confident that the coalition would win the seat on grounds that the BN supporters were still loyal to the coalition.

He said during his campaign, the issues of land title, electricity and water supply and lack of roads, are among the problems raised by the people, which could only be solved if he wins the seat.

Meanwhile, Benson who represents Upko which is part of Warisan Plus, has also been seen as a potential winner in the fight for the seat.

The fact that the seat is traditionally Upko’s also posed a big challenge to the candidate to prove himself.

Benson, 41, said the Kuamut development landscape needed some improvements to help the constituency to get out of poverty.

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By offering a Kuamut Progressive Development Plan 2020-2035, Benson is determined to focus on, among others, the issues of land ownership and development, education, human capital, infrastructure, women, senior citizens persons with disabilities, as well as religious institution, should he win the seat.

Meanwhile, Sabah political analyst Dr Syahruddin Awg Ahmad is in the opinion that the contest for Kuamut seat is quite complicated as the incumbent (Masiung) is now contesting as an independent candidate, hence difficult to know whether or not he still has the voters’ support.

“Masiung’s presence as an independent candidate and aligning to PN is probably just a strategy to, firstly, to regain support from his former supporters and, secondly, to take a peek at his chances to benefit from PN if the coalition won the election and managed to form a new state government,” said Syahruddin, a senior lecturer at the Humanities, Arts and Heritage Faculty of Universiti Malaysia Sabah.

- Bernama

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