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UNITED Sabah National Organisation (USNO) president Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia believes Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) has “no choice” but to name him as its candidate for the Pintasan state seat in the upcoming 17th Sabah General Election (PRN17).
As a deputy president of GRS and leader of one of its component parties, the former Dewan Rakyat Speaker said he was confident that the coalition leadership would take his role into account when deciding candidates for the constituency.
“I want to contest because I think I still can. People say I’m old, but to the younger ones — don’t always criticise the elderly, because you too will grow old one day. So, seriously, yes, I want to contest in Pintasan,” he told reporters after launching the book ‘Pandikar Amin: Wira Dikurbankan Bangsanya’ in Kota Kinabalu on Sunday.
He was responding to questions about his public expression of interest in the Pintasan seat during his speech earlier at the event.
Commenting on ongoing seat allocation talks within GRS, Pandikar said discussions were still underway and no final decisions had been made.
“The seat distribution has not been finalised because it hasn’t been announced who will contest, or which party will be contesting where. Negotiations are still ongoing,” he revealed.
Pandikar acknowledged that several individuals were lobbying for the Pintasan seat, including the current assemblyman from Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat), but maintained that GRS had no alternative but to give the seat to USNO.
“Before the final decision is made, of course, many are lobbying — that’s normal. But when the decision is confirmed, I believe GRS will have no choice.
“The incumbent, who is the Gagasan Rakyat Youth Chief, wants to defend the seat, and I agree that he has performed well. However, from the leadership’s perspective, I think component party leaders within GRS should also be given the opportunity to contest.
“If leaders of the component parties are not fielded, then what is the purpose of GRS?” he asked.
When pressed on how many seats USNO had requested in the negotiations, Pandikar declined to disclose details, saying it was up to the GRS chairman to make the announcement.
He, however, confirmed that USNO would contest in PRN17 regardless of the number of seats allocated.
Asked whether he would be disappointed if not selected, Pandikar dismissed the notion, saying his political career had been shaped by many experiences, including times when he was not a candidate but still entrusted with key roles in government.
“To be a politician, one must have substance. As I said earlier, like a chilli — small, but when bitten, it’s hot. So, don’t bite Pandikar Amin carelessly if you can’t handle the heat,” he quipped with a laugh. - October 26, 2025