Penampang gears up for dramatic showdown of former reps

SABAH POLLS | Penampang is set to host some of the most dramatic contests of the Sabah state election, with two of its key state seats, Moyog and Kapayan, drawing former assemblypersons back into the ring and triggering unexpected clashes between allied coalitions.

In Moyog, Warisan’s Terrence Siambun and Upko’s Donald Peter Mojuntin, both former representatives of the constituency, are vying for a political comeback in what has quickly become one of the election’s marquee fights.

Terrence (above, left) won the Moyog seat under the PKR ticket in 2013. He is also fielded in Moyog after incumbent Darell Leiking decided to step aside from contesting.

Terrence, who once held the seat under PKR before shifting to Warisan, is banking on his past connections in a constituency known for unpredictable swings.

Donald (above, right), a senior Upko leader and former Moyog assemblyperson, returns with the backing of a party positioning itself as a key Sabah-based player.

The race took an unexpected turn when Pakatan Harapan fielded Remysta Taylor, triggering a direct clash with GRS-backed PBS candidate Joeynodd Bansin, despite a national alliance agreement to avoid such overlaps.

The crowded 12-cornered contest also features Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star)’s Joseph Suleiman, Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM)’s Mckery Victor Ninin, and Parti Bumi Kenyalang Sabah (PBK)’s Walter Norbert Johnny.

Also contesting are Perikatan Nasional’s Francis Mojikon, Parti Kebangsaan’s Richard Dompok, Parti Impian Sabah’s Cleftus Stephen Spine, and two independents.

This is a reflection of the complex political realignments unfolding in Penampang, long regarded as a bellwether district for Kadazan-Dusun voters.

Heavyweights in Kepayan

Just next door in Kapayan, another heavyweight returns.

Former assemblyperson Edwin Bosi, now contesting under KDM, is challenging DAP incumbent Jannie Lasimbang in a 13-cornered fight, one of the largest in this election.

Edwin, who represented Kapayan from 2013 to 2018, remains a familiar figure in a constituency where personal networks often shape outcomes. His comeback injects fresh competition into a seat Harapan considers part of its urban stronghold.

Upko is also making assertive play through an aide to party president Ewon Benedick, Billy Joe Dominic, who is contesting the seat in his electoral debut.

His candidacy signals Upko’s attempt to re-establish its foothold in Penampang’s state seats after years of shifting political alignments.

They join candidates from Star, Parti Impian Sabah, Warisan, PBK, Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri, Aspirasi, and several independents, creating a field so broad that analysts warn vote fragmentation could reshape the race entirely.

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