Two ex-GRS incumbents contest as independent in Pintasan, Kukusan

SABAH POLLS | Former Pintasan incumbent Fairuz Renddan, who is contesting there as an independent after being dropped from the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah’s (GRS) candidate list, looks set to be expelled from Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan).

The 37-year-old former Gagasan Youth chief is confirmed to go up against Usno president Pandikar Amin Mulia and nine others in Pintasan after the nominations for the upcoming Sabah state election closed today.

Fairuz (above) arrived at the nominations centre in Kota Belud this morning, backed by a group of supporters mostly dressed in black.

Separately, two other Gagasan members also contested as independents - Roland Chia in Inanam and Maijol Mahap in Bandau.

Earlier, Gagasan secretary-general Razali Razi said contesting under an independent ticket goes against the party’s stance and decisions as a component of GRS.

“Gagasan stresses that any individual who decides to contest as an independent candidate has no connection with the party or any of its leaders, even if they are a Gagasan member.

“Accordingly, the party has decided to immediately expel any member who violates this directive.

“We must ensure the victory of GRS candidates for the sake of the future and interests of the people of Sabah,” he said in a statement today.

In Kukusan, another former GRS incumbent, Rina Jainal, also filed her nominations as an independent against the coalition's candidate, Samsiah Usman, and eight others.

Rina recently announced her exit from the GRS component, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah, following a three-year suspension reportedly over alleged breach of party discipline.

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