TAWAU: Former Kukusan Assemblywoman Datuk Rina Jainal, who was not nominated by her former party, Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (PHRS-GRS), joined the race as an independent.
Accompanied by over 500 supporters, she arrived at the Kalabakan parliamentary nomination centre at SJK (C) Yuk Chin around 8.05am.
It will see a 10-cornered fight, with four female candidates, including Chaya Sulaiman (Umno – BN), who is the closest challenger to Rina. Chaya narrowly lost the seat to Rina under a Warisan ticket in PRN16 by just 10 votes.
Adding to the intrigue, Kukusan features a sibling rivalry between Chaya Sulaiman and her brother, former Kalabakan MP Ma’mun Sulaiman, who is contesting for Warisan.
This is also the only seat with multiple female candidates.
The other seven candidates are: Samsiah Usman (PHRS-GRS), Mariani Sulaiman (Anak Negeri), Hairul Amin Arif (Independent – Black Wave), Francis Lawrence @ Yusof (Bersatu-PN), Ishak Ismail (PPRS), Ab Rahman Yahya (Star) and Razik Muyong (PIS).