Anwar unveils Musa Aman's son as PKR candidate in Sabah polls

Speculation over whether the son of Sabah Governor Musa Aman would contest in the state election was finally answered tonight when PKR president Anwar Ibrahim confirmed Yamani Hafez as the party’s candidate for Sindumin.

Yamani, a former federal MP and deputy finance minister, was among a 10-member slate announced at the Sabah International Convention Centre this evening, a line-up that also included former senior federal officer Ruji Ubi for Merotai.

The unveiling ends months of whispers surrounding Yamani's debut at the state level but also exposes internal tension within Sabah PKR, where 17 divisional chiefs had earlier expressed dissatisfaction over newcomers being fast-tracked as candidates.

Both Yamani and Ruji only joined PKR recently, yet were catapulted into frontline roles - a decision that has unsettled parts of the state machinery.

READ MORE: 'Ruji who?': Villagers puzzled by PKR's ex-Esscom chief pick for Merotai

Also in PKR's line-up is Jamawi Jaafar - marking his fourth switch in party allegiance in seven years.

Jamawi won the Kemabong seat under BN in 2018, but then defected to Warisan after the election.

In 2020, he switched back to BN when Musa staged a coup against the then-Warisan-led government.

10 candidates, one incumbent

Of the 10 PKR candidates, only Peto Galim is an incumbent from the party.

The full line-up is as follows:

Inanam - Peto Galim (incumbent)

Tulid - Rufina Pengeran (Sabah PKR women chief)

Petagas - Awang Hussaini Sahari (former Putatan MP)

Segama - Romansa Lamin

Gum-Gum - Abdul Said Pimping

Api-Api - Thonny Chee

Merotai - Ruji

Melalap - Jamawi

Sindumin – Yamani

Karamunting – George Hiew

Speaking at the candidate unveiling event, Anwar said he will personally lead PKR’s election machinery in Sabah to coordinate campaign strategy and strengthen on-ground unity across all divisions.

With PKR’s announcement, Pakatan Harapan now fields 18 candidates across Sabah - seven under DAP, 10 from PKR, and one under Amanah.

This will leave United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) with only five seats of the total 23 seats Harapan had sought in the state election.

Only Upko, whose president Ewon Benedick chairs Sabah Harapan, has yet to unveil its slate.

Nomination day falls on Nov 15, with polling on the 29th, giving Harapan just three weeks to turn its polished new image into votes.

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