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INDEPENDENT candidate Goldam Hamid has admitted to feeling some apprehension about contesting the Kinabatangan parliamentary by-election against two major political parties, but remains confident in voters’ ability to assess the candidates on merit.
The 40-year-old lawyer, making his electoral debut, said his campaign will prioritise grassroots engagement, presenting his principles and aspirations directly to residents of the constituency.
“Anyone would feel apprehensive going up against big parties. In the last general election, we saw Parti Warisan win many seats. But I believe the people of Kinabatangan are mature enough to assess which candidate can truly represent them at the parliamentary level,” Goldam told reporters following the nomination process at Dewan Sri Lamag on Sunday.
He joins the race alongside Barisan Nasional’s Mohd Naim Kurniawan Moktar and Parti Warisan’s Datuk Saddi Abdul Rahman, positioning himself as an independent voice for Sabah.
Goldam emphasised the importance of advocating for the state’s rights, particularly the demand for Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue share, which he says must be consistently raised in Parliament.
“The federal government needs to understand that this is the demand of the people of Sabah to reclaim their rightful share of state revenue,” he said.
Goldam explained that no political party had approached him with a candidacy offer, prompting him to run independently to ensure grassroots concerns are brought to the federal level.
During his campaign, he said, residents highlighted ongoing issues with land disputes, infrastructure, water supply, electricity, and road connectivity.
“Many interior areas in Kinabatangan still lack basic amenities and require serious attention,” he noted.
Beyond the political contest, the by-elections in Kinabatangan parliamentary and Lamag state seats have revitalised local communities, drawing crowds, campaign teams, and media attention.
The influx has boosted small businesses, particularly homestays and laundromats, which are operating at full capacity throughout the election period.
Speaking to Bernama, Zurinah Sakirim, manager of Sazati Homestay in Bukit Garam, said bookings have surged following the Election Commission’s announcement of the nomination date.
“Our two homestay units are fully booked, just like in the previous state polls. Even the eight cabins we offer are in high demand, especially on key days such as nomination and polling. We’re still getting calls from guests looking for a place to stay, but we have to turn them away as the homestay is full,” she said, adding that her property can host 30 to 40 guests at a time.
Zurinah also noted that about 10 other homestays in Bukit Garam, normally reliant on travellers or civil servants on official business, have experienced similar business boosts, calling the by-election a timely windfall after years of dependence on domestic tourism.
The Kinabatangan by-election, with its high-stakes political contest and tangible economic ripple effects, highlights the intersection of grassroots democracy and local livelihoods in Sabah. - January 12, 2026