KDM eyes PBS stronghold Tandek
However, this position was slightly tarnished when KDM candidate Datuk Wetrom Bahanda achieved a surprising victory in the Kota Marudu parliamentary election last time.
It is reported that voters from all three DUNs – Matunggong, Tandek, and Bandau – have shown strong support for KDM.
The question now is whether the voters of DUN Tandek, which is said to have around 27,000 people, will continue to support PBS/GRS in the upcoming state election (PRN).
DUN Tandek is currently represented by Datuk Hendrus Anding, who is expected to defend his seat in the 17th PRN.
Many observers predict that Hendrus will face a tough challenge in retaining the DUN Tandek seat this time.
He is expected to compete against a KDM candidate determined to capture the Tandek seat.
While speaking at a community event in Kampung Surun-Surun recently, Wetrom mentioned several figures who are likely to represent KDM in the upcoming PRN.
Among those mentioned are Benson Tuyundo and the former district education officer and acting president of the Kota Marudu Football Association, Jimson Majemal.
Also mentioned were Dato' Baintin Adun and Lewrence Saibon.
Wetrom hopes that the people of Tandek will give strong support to any KDM candidate selected.
'We need to work hard and unite to ensure KDM win in Tandek,' he said.
It is also understood that Warisan is expected to nominate Datuk Jilid Kuminding to contest in Tandek.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Express
14 hours ago
- Daily Express
Gagasan Rakyat urged to step up outreach ahead of state polls
Published on: Friday, July 25, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 25, 2025 By: Larry Ralon Text Size: KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor ( pic ) has urged Gagasan Rakyat's information machinery to step up outreach efforts ahead of the upcoming State Election. Speaking at the launch of the party's 'Gasak 17 This Is the Time' Information Seminar on Friday, Hajiji called for clearer communication on Gagasan Rakyat's mission and the State Government's achievements. The seminar at the Sabah International Convention Centre marked the start of the three-day Gagasan Rakyat Annual Assembly. Hajiji said the party's information chiefs at all levels must now activate their networks to engage the public more effectively. He also highlighted the role of the party's Women, Youth and Beliawanis wings in ensuring messages reach communities across Sabah. Strong grassroots coordination, he said, would help reinforce public confidence in Gagasan Rakyat and the GRS-led government. Around 400 information chiefs and committee members from 74 party divisions took part in the seminar, which focused on aligning strategies to face current political challenges. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Star
16 hours ago
- The Star
Hajiji to set Sabah polls direction at Gagasan Rakyat AGM on July 27
KOTA KINABALU: Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor says he will be setting Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah's (Gagasan Rakyat) direction for the state election in his policy speech at its annual general meeting on Sunday (July 27). Giving few hints as to whether his party would push Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to go solo or enter an electoral pact with Sabah Pakatan Harapan in the 17th state election, due by Nov 11, the Gagasan Rakyat president told reporters the answer would come at the AGM. 'Just wait for my speech this Sunday," he said when met on Friday (July 25). The AGM on Sunday is expected to see over 2,000 delegates from 74 divisions in Sabah and Labuan attending. It will be closely watched by the party's coalition partners in GRS, who prefer the local grouping to contest on its own. Observers anticipate Hajiji's speech to indicate to party members if he prefers that GRS continue its electoral arrangements with Sabah Pakatan, in line with creating political stability for the state as well as the federal unity government led by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Hajiji, the Sabah Chief Minister, is also expected to indicate the likely dates for the dissolution of the state assembly, which could be in August or closer to the full term of the 16th state assembly in October. Three key components of GRS – Sabah STAR led by Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) led by Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee, and Usno led by Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia – are pushing for the coalition to go solo amid growing calls for Sabah to regain its autonomous political rights through local parties. However, Hajiji has hinted that he preferred GRS to have a dominant role in any electoral pact with Sabah Pakatan. Another GRS partner, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), is also agreeable to Hajiji's idea of retaining dominance. The Gagasan Rakyat gathering begins on Saturday (July 26) with the Youth, Wanita and Beliawanis meetings. The wings are also expected to state their preference for the upcoming polls, while pushing for younger candidates to be fielded. On Friday, Hajiji officiated the party's closed-door Gasak17 information seminar at the Sabah International Convention Centre here. He asked the information chiefs from all divisions to activate their machinery to explain party objectives, what has been done for the state, and current political issues. He said all levels of the party must disseminate information needed to boost support and answer questions from the ground on arising issues.
Daily Express
a day ago
- Daily Express
Sabah leaders not amused as businesses fume
Published on: Friday, July 25, 2025 Published on: Fri, Jul 25, 2025 Text Size: Dr Jeffrey (left) and Dr Joachim (right) both disagreed with the move. Kota Kinabalu: Businesses are not the only ones unhappy over the sudden declaration of an additional public holiday on the eve of Malaysia Day on September 16 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Even Sabah politicians who have been in the forefront of regaining Sabah's rights in the Malaysia Agreement they claim have been ignored over the decades by Federal are not amused. They said the Sept. 15 holiday is not necessary. Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan from Star and Deputy Chief Minister II Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam of PBS both disagreed with the move. 'Personally, I feel Malaysia, especially Sabah, has too many holidays already,' Dr Gunsalam, who is Parti Bersatu Sabah President, said. Dr Jeffrey said Malaysia Day is already a national holiday and there is no need to declare another day on Sept. 15. 'For Sabah and Sarawak at this juncture, we want the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and its rights under the Constitution to be fully implemented. 'That should be the priority,' he said. Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) President Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee also said the extra day is unnecessary. Cuepacs Executive Laurence Vun said any holiday would be welcomed by workers but felt a holiday on the eve of Malaysia Day might not help the spirit of Malaysia. 'I don't think an additional holiday would bring any significance to the meaning of Malaysia Day. 'For Sabahans and Sarawakians, we feel Malaysia Day should be marked to make all Malaysians equal in every sense of the word – in our civil service as well as all sectors of government and private enterprise,' said Vun. Employers must comply with the declaration of additional public holiday in conjunction with this year's Malaysia Day celebration, Human Resources Minister Steven Sim Chee Keong had said. He said employers could observe the additional public holiday and pay the regular salary, or instruct their employees to work and pay according to the public holiday rates. 'Employers can also opt to give a replacement holiday on another day if their employees are required to work on that public holiday. 'To ensure the implementation of the additional public holiday is fair and organised, the Department of Labour (JTK) is prepared to provide advisory services as well as answer any queries from employers and employees regarding the implementation of this additional public holiday,' he said. The implementation of the additional holiday is subject to provisions under Section 60D(1) of the Employment Act 1955 (Act 265) for Peninsular Malaysia and the Federal Territory of Labuan; the Sabah Labour Ordinance (Chapter 67), the Sarawak Labour Ordinance (Chapter 76) and the Holidays Act 1951 (Act 369) as the basis for the announcement of the official additional holiday by the government. Employers or employees requiring further information can contact the JTKSM via its hotline at 03-8886 5192 / 5937, by email at [email protected], or at any nearby JTK offices. An employers' group and a business association expressed concern over the impact the additional public holiday may have on business operations. The Malaysian Employers Federation said the extra public holiday warrants careful reconsideration because of its financial and operational impact as such holidays disrupt production schedules, logistics chains, and service continuity. 'This disruption results in lower output, delays in fulfilling delivery commitments, increased costs from rescheduling or deferring operations, and reduced overall productivity, especially for SMEs already operating on tight margins,' MEF said. It also said additional public holidays translate to increased wage bills, with preliminary estimates suggesting that each extra holiday could cost Malaysian employers over RM1 billion collectively. MEF said the practice of declaring ad hoc public holidays, often without broad stakeholder consultation, may affect Malaysia's image as a predictable and business-friendly destination. Noting that investors seek clarity and certainty in policymaking, it warned that repeated instances of surprise public holidays risk undermining investor confidence, particularly among foreign investors. 'While MEF appreciates national celebrations and commemorations, such observances must be balanced with economic realities and the long-term competitiveness of Malaysian businesses,' it said. Small and Medium Enterprises Association (Samenta) president William Ng said that while he appreciates the symbolic importance of celebrating Malaysia Day, additional public holidays, especially those announced on short notice, can be disruptive for SMEs. He said the added holiday would increase costs for SMEs in terms of lost productivity, overtime pay, and delivery delays. 'We urge the government to conduct impact assessments before declaring unscheduled holidays,' he said. Ng also welcomed the encouraging economic indicators shared by Anwar in his address, particularly stronger GDP growth, improved global competitiveness rankings, and a more stable ringgit. 'However, we urge the government to ensure that the benefits of this growth are meaningfully felt by the SME sector, which continues to face persistent challenges in accessing financing, addressing labour shortages, and adapting to rising operational costs,' he said. The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) has called on the government to urgently gazette the September 15 public holiday to provide legal clarity to employers. The additional holiday has triggered concerns within the manufacturing sector over compliance and planning, the group said. FMM said many businesses remain unclear whether the holiday falls under Section 8 or Section 9 of the Holidays Act 1951, which would affect their obligations under the Employment Act 1955. 'This is critical to provide legal clarity and enable businesses to plan operations, workforce scheduling, and ensure compliance with the Employment Act 1955,' said FMM president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai. The group warned that manufacturers operating on shift-based or continuous cycles face higher risks from such unplanned disruptions. The four-day stretch from Saturday to Tuesday may force production lines to halt and restart, which FMM said would be inefficient and costly. It added that the cascading effects on supply chains, logistics and delivery timelines would be especially difficult for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to manage. FMM advised employers to prepare buffer stock, adjust schedules, and communicate with workers, customers and suppliers to minimise operational risks. The group also reminded businesses to monitor the gazette and consider using the substitution option under Section 8, if applicable. It then reiterated its view that 'policy announcements must reflect clarity, consistency, certainty, and credibility,' adding that ad hoc decisions could undermine Malaysia's attractiveness to investors. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
