BONGAWAN: GRS candidate Tan Sri Anifah Aman says Bongawan must choose a representative who can “stand up to federal pressure” and deliver long-overdue development, as Sabah enters what he described as a defining decade for economic growth in the state’s south.
In a hard-hitting statement, the former foreign Minister warned that Bongawan risks “another five years of stagnation” if voters select candidates he said are too dependent on support from Putrajaya.
“Bongawan needs a leader who speaks for Sabah first, not someone who waits for approval from the federal government,”Anifah said.
“I’ve fought for MA63 (Malaysia Agreement 1963), I’ve pushed for the 40 per cent revenue return, and I have never hesitated to challenge the federal powers when Sabah’s rights were ignored.”
His comments came amid growing criticism of federal-endorsed BN candidate Datuk Mohamad Alamin, whom he accused of lacking autonomy due to party discipline and ministerial responsibilities in Kuala Lumpur.
“If as an MP and Deputy Minister he could not pressure the federal government on Sabah’s rights, how will he do it as a state assemblyman without a Cabinet role?” Anifah said.
“Bongawan cannot afford a part-time ADUN.” No elected representative from the constituency had ever held a full Sabah ministerial post.
Some analysts have noted that Mohamad, who is currently Kimanis MP, faces questions about whether he can juggle both federal and state duties if elected. State political blocs have also signaled that candidates aligned too closely with Putrajaya are unlikely to be appointed to the Sabah Cabinet.
The current Bongawan assemblyman, Dr. Daud Yusof, is widely regarded as approachable and active at the grassroots level. But Bongawan residents are increasingly realising that after two terms, major structural issues, including employment opportunities, infrastructure gaps and uneven access to education and slow investment activity, remain unresolved.
Anifah said good intentions alone no longer meet the constituency’s needs.
“Dr. Daud is a good man, and I respect him,” he said of the Parti Warisan man.
“But after ten years, the limits of his political influence are clear. Bongawan now needs someone who can pull national attention, investment and policy change.
“In other words, Bongawan needs not just a career politician but a person with entrepreneurial prowess and diplomatic experince all rolled into one. It took me years to develop the person I am with all of these and it wasn’t easy. But as I’ve said to the people of Bongawan, use me.”
Anifah positioned himself as the only candidate with both the seniority and the independence to confront federal leaders on Sabah’s behalf.
“I left Umno because I refused to be bound by promises that were never fulfilled. I formed my own party because Sabah must chart its own future,” said the Parti Cinta Sabah presidnent.
“I don’t need federal blessings to speak. I don’t wait for Kuala Lumpur to decide what Sabah deserves.”
He argued that Bongawan, strategically located within a developing southern growth corridor, requires a representative with enough political weight to secure large-scale projects and negotiate directly with both the state and federal governments.
“This constituency needs a leap forward, not another cycle of small projects and delayed promises,” Anifah said.
“If Bongawan wants real change, it must choose a leader brave enough to demand it. I’m offering all of myself to you”
At the same time, Anifah said he is fully aware of the strong local sentiments among the majority Bruneian Malays in Bongawan, who often support leaders based on close emotional and communal ehtnic ties, connections he acknowledged his rivals also benefit from.
“I understand the sentiments here. Our community is closed-knit and people feel connected to one another,” he said.
“But sentiments alone won’t change Bongawan much.”
“If I must be direct, sentiments don’t put food on our tables. They don’t put money in our pockets or help us become financially independent. They don’t give us a better life in Bongawan and they don’t create opportunities for our children.”-pr/BNN
