Sabah polls: Five dropped candidates return as kingmakers

KOTA KINABALU (Nov 30): Five Independent candidates who were dropped and pushed aside by their own parties have risen to the top in Sabah’s 17th state election, proving once more that the people, not party leaders, decide who should lead.

Their victories, achieved without party flags, big machinery or the comfort of a coalition name, carry a clear message from Sabahans: stand firm, stay honest and the voters will walk with you.

In Bandau, Datuk Maijol Mahap pressed on after Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) replaced him at the last minute with Datuk Redonah Bahanda.

Even when facing a 13-cornered contest and the well-established Bahanda siblings, Maijol remained steady and close to the ground.

The people handed him 3,996 votes and a 244-vote majority, choosing a familiar leader over a decision shaped behind closed doors.

A similar storm brewed in Pintasan when Datuk Fairuz Renddan was removed to make way for United Sabah National Organisation (Usno) president Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia.

Fairuz chose to walk out and continue the fight on his own. Young voters stood firmly behind him, carrying his campaign both online and on the ground.

Their support lifted him to victory, defeating Pandikar with 4,675 votes and a strong 1,070 majority, a clear sign that courage and consistency still matter.

In Petagas, Datuk Awang Ahmad Sah refused to give way after GRS surrendered the seat to Pakatan Harapan, which placed his own brother, Awang Husaini, as their candidate.

Confident of the support from the community he served, Awang Ahmad contested as an Independent and won convincingly with 4,271 votes and a 1,255 majority.

His win showed that real loyalty grows from the people, not party arrangements.

Tulid delivered one of the most striking stories. Jordan Jude Ellron, the former STARSabah youth exco chief, was first confirmed as a candidate but later dropped abruptly by party president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.

Feeling misled but not defeated, Jordan ran as an Independent and handed all his campaign merchandise to the youth volunteers who had stood with him.

In the state’s biggest contest with 14 candidates, Jordan captured 3,545 votes and a 1,195 majority, a powerful signal that sincerity and youthful drive still win hearts.

In Kukusan, Datuk Rina Jainal was barred by Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah from contesting despite earlier approval.

She resigned two days before nomination and defended the seat on her own.

The voters returned her with 3,490 votes and a 650 majority, while the party’s chosen candidate landed in third. Her win reflected the trust built through steady, consistent service.

These candidates entered the election without a party, but with the weight of the people behind them.

Their journeys capture the spirit of democracy that Sabahans hold close, namely brave, grounded and guided by the voices on the ground.

And now, in an unexpected twist, the five who were once pushed aside return not just as winners, but as kingmakers.

With GRS holding only 29 seats and unable to form a government on its own, these five Independents now carry the deciding strength needed to shape Sabah’s next administration.