New non-Malay rep in Bersatu leadership to ensure Sabah not neglected

Lim Ting Khai became the centre of attention after he was the latest non-Malay to make it into the new leadership team of Bersatu’s supreme council.

The 40-year-old Roman Catholic is of Sino-Kadazandusun descent and comes from Tawau, Sabah.

“I am with this party because it is making efforts to close the gap between Sabah and the peninsula.

“This gives hope to us in Sabah that our issues will not be neglected,” he told Malaysiakini.

The other non-Malay in the Bersatu’s top leadership is vice-president Ronald Kiandee, who got re-elected to his post.

Bersatu recently held its internal election amid speculation that the party is experiencing factional disputes.

Former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin remains its president while Hamzah Zainudin, who was formerly its secretary-general, is now the deputy president.

Aside from his new role on the supreme council, Lim is also the Tawau division chief and Sabah Bersatu treasurer.

More inclusive policies

Lim said his party needs to work on more inclusive policies to handle issues that affect all Malaysians such as economic stability, education and healthcare.

This is one way it can attract non-Malay interests, he said.

“The acceptance and support from grassroots members all over the country clearly show that Bersatu is attractive to all members of society, regardless of race and background, in empowering the party’s policies,” he added.

Lim was a former member of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), which was part of BN until it left after the coalition’s defeat in the 2018 general election. That year he ran for the Merotai state seat but lost to Warisan.

In 2020, Lim, still under LDP, contested the Sri Tanjong state seat where he lost his deposit after only garnering 276 votes.

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