KOTA KINABALU: Pakatan Harapan is placing its hopes on Thonny Chee to reclaim Api-Api in the 17th Sabah Election.
Thonny said he aims to build on former Api-Api assemblyperson Datuk Seri Christina Liew’s work while addressing gaps he observed during his early walkabouts.
He acknowledged the challenge of serving voters who live outside the constituency but said he hopes to represent both the Chinese-majority community and Malay voters residing in surrounding areas.
Thonny, who describes himself as an orang kampung from Pitas, said he is learning more about Chinese culture and believes voters are focused on service delivery rather than race.
He said his party advantage and direct access to the Prime Minister could help address local concerns, while leaving broader issues such as the 40 per cent entitlement to federal negotiations.