Kota Kinabalu: Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) announced 39 of 40 candidates who will contest in the coming 17th Sabah Election. The name of its final candidate, who will contest the Kemabong seat, will be revealed today (Friday).
KDM Acting President Priscella Peter will contest the Melalap seat, which was previously held by her father and party founder, Peter Anthony, who is in jail for corruption.
This will be Priscella’s first time contesting in an election. KDM Deputy President Wetrom Bahanda, who previously held the Bandau seat, will now contest in Matunggong. Some 70 per cent of its candidates are new faces, while 30 per cent are young candidates under 40.
The candidates are: Bengkoka - Rahim @ Richard Mazagi, Pitas - Abdul Hamid Kimin, Matunggong - Wetrom Bahanda, Bandau - Jaiping Minsu, Tandek - Benson Tuyundo, Pintasan - Datuk Almudin Kaida, Tempasuk - John Samud, Kadamaian - Josley Taising, Pantai Dalit - Jaesman @ Jaess Gipin, Tamparuli - Dr Gaim James Lunkapis, Kiulu - Henry Soimpon, Darau - Nordin Thani, Inanam - Jos @ George Guntarik, Petagas - Adelaide Cornelius, Tanjung Keramat - Suarah @ Segarah Miasin, Kapayan - Dr Edwin @ Jack Bosi, Moyog - Mckery Victor Ninin, Limbahau - Malik Luman, Pantai Manis - Datu Mohamad Datu Tamin, Bongawan - Peter Matinjal, Klias - Mohd Ariffin Barhim, Lumadan - Abd Jarih Okin, Sindumin - Sani Maisin, Kundasang - Jattry Abie @ Jeffry Mohd Ali, Karanaan - Karim Adam, Paginatan - Rusdin @ Musidi Riman, Tambunan - Jaikol Tagua, Bingkor - Niklos Ongoh, Liawan - Peter Paun, Melalap - Priscella Peter, Tulid - Aisat Ellik Igau Iggau, Nabawan - Jelerison Kilan, Telupid - Nilis Joseph, Labuk - Marx Henry Lim, Karamuting - Chew Kok Woh, Elopura - Liau Fui Fui, Tanjong Papat - Datuk Poon Ming Fung, Kuamut - Abu Bakar Ellah, Sri Tanjong - Ricky Hong Chee Kiong.
Wetrom said KDM would not merge or cooperate with any other political parties, whether from within or outside the State.
“KDM has a clear stand — we will not join any other party. Not now, and not before the election. Only after the results are known, we will see which direction to take or who we can work with,” he said.