Kota Marudu MP to contest Sabah polls in hometown Matunggong

The deputy president of Sabah-based Social Democratic Harmony Party (Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat, or KDM) has confirmed plans to contest Matunggong in the upcoming 17th state election.

Wetrom Bahanda, who is also the Kota Marudu MP, said his move from Bandau to Matunggong was made following calls from grassroots supporters in his hometown.

“It’s not an easy task, but I am confident the people of Matunggong want change, just as the people of Kota Marudu showed during the 15th general election (GE15) in 2022,” he said after launching KDM’s election machinery for Matunggong, Bandau, and Tandek in Kota Marudu today.

Wetrom previously won the Bandau state seat in the last state election, and in GE15 pulled off a major upset when he defeated Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Maximus Ongkili in Kota Marudu.

The Matunggong state seat during the 2020 state election saw an eight-cornered contest won by PBS’ Julita Mojungki.

Meanwhile, Wetrom revealed that KDM has finalised 36 state seats to contest, with several more still under review.

“So far, we will definitely contest 36 seats, with a few still under keep in view.

“Earlier, I mentioned about 20 seats, but we received many requests from other areas. What’s certain is we will go solo,” he said.

‘Sabah for Sabahans’

Separately, the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) supreme council that convened today reaffirmed its long-standing vision for a state government led by local parties, modelled after the current Sarawak administration.

SAPP information chief Chin Vui Kai, following the party’s departure from GRS, stressed its stand that the Sabah state elections should be contested exclusively by local parties across all 73 state seats.

“This approach upholds our principles, strengthens local autonomy, and ensures that governance remains in the hands of Sabah political parties,” he said.

“We established that parting ways with GRS is a fait accompli, an irreversible and settled matter.

“While Sabah-based local parties may adopt different strategies, we share a common goal: preventing external forces from unduly influencing Sabah’s governance,” said Chin.

He added that SAPP remains guided by the “Sabah for Sabahans” principle, in alignment with the wishes of Sabah voters, advocating for self-determination and autonomy.

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