GE14: Tambunan set to become major battleground




KOTA KINABALU, April 27 (Bernama) -- Tambunan, which is located at the foot of the Crocker range was the site of a fierce battle between local hero Mat Salleh and the British army in the late 1890s.

The great battle has attracted the attention of many historians, including from abroad, to explore the true story behind the British army's onslaught against Mat Salleh's fort in Tambunan.

This Saturday, Tambunan will once again be the focus of millions of people as it is set to become a battlefield again, this time in the political arena between two siblings, PBS president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan and his younger brother, Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.

Both the Kadazandusun leaders were earlier announced as the respective candidates of BN and Star for the Tambunan state seat in the 14th General Election (GE14).

Jeffrey is also contesting the Keningau parliamentary seat, which was previously held by Pairin.

Meanwhile, Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal set tongues wagging today he when announced Justin Alip, the brother-in-law of Pairin and Jeffrey, as the party's candidate for Tambunan.

Pairin, 77, who is also Sabah Deputy Chief Minister, has held the Tambunan seat since 1976, but in GE14, he has made way for Datuk Daniel Kinsik to contest in the Keningau seat, which he had held since 1985.

Pairin was earlier rumoured not to be defending the Tambunan and Keningau seats after hinting that he might retire after GE14.

"I agreed to contest, not only to fulfil the requests (from supporters) but I feel I am still capable of contributing to the people and the nation," said Pairin after launching the PBS-BN supplementary manifesto here, yesterday.

In the last election, Pairin who contested on the BN ticket won the Tambunan seat with a majority of 2,079 votes, and defended the Keningau parliamentary seat, defeating Jeffrey with a majority of 3,918 votes. Jeffrey, who contested under Star, won the Bingkor state seat with a majority of 456 votes.

The nomination day for GE14 is tomorrow, while May 9 has been set as polling day.

-- BERNAMA