image is not available

Hashim

BEAUFORT (July 31): Sabah Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) deputy chairman Hashim Daris has strongly criticised recent remarks by Datuk Mazlan Joehari Manan, head of the Lumadan division of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat), over Amanah’s eligibility to contest the Lumadan state seat in the upcoming 17th State Election (PRN17).

Hashim, who also heads the Amanah Sipitang division, described Mazlan’s statement as politically immature and disconnected from the political realities on the ground, pointing out that Amanah has long-established roots in the area with a growing grassroots base.

“Amanah has been present in the Sipitang parliamentary constituency, which covers both Lumadan and Sindumin, for over five years now. We are not a new or fringe party. Numerous branches have been set up, and our membership continues to grow,” he said in a statement today.

He further noted that during the 15th General Election (GE15), Amanah, as part of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition, fielded Datuk Lahirul Latigu for the Sipitang parliamentary seat. Lahirul garnered over 2,500 votes in the Lumadan state constituency alone.

“That number alone is proof that Amanah is not a stranger to the voters in Lumadan. The support for us is tangible and cannot be brushed aside,” Hashim stressed.

Responding to Mazlan’s claim that Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) enjoys strong support in Lumadan, Hashim questioned the basis of such an assertion, noting that GRS’s influence in the area remains untested at the ballot box.

“Let us not forget that the incumbent Sipitang MP, Datuk Matbali Musa, contested under the Perikatan Nasional (PN) ticket during the last election, not GRS. Everyone understands the political backdrop at that time. So, it is rather presumptuous to claim unproven strength on behalf of GRS,” he said.

Hashim also clarified that his remarks were not aimed at stirring conflict among component parties within the unity government, but rather to defend Amanah’s dignity, which he felt was being undermined.

“We have no objections if the eventual candidate representing the GRS–PH Plus unity government is not from Amanah. However, let the decision be made wisely, guided by real track records and proven strengths,” he said.

He stressed that the selection of candidates for the upcoming state election should be entrusted to the top leadership, including Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor.

“We at Amanah Sipitang are fully aware of our capacity. It is not our role at the grassroots to determine candidates. Let us not overstep the leadership. Otherwise, we’ll come across as trying too hard to appear clever,” he quipped.

Hashim concluded by calling on all parties within the unity government to maintain harmony and avoid issuing divisive statements as the state election draws closer.

The post Amanah defends Lumadan presence, slams Gagasan Rakyat leader appeared first on Borneo Post Online.