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FIVE of 74 independent candidates in the recent Sabah polls returned as kingmakers - proving that voters base their choices on the individuals and not behind big party names or strong machineries.
Three independents defended their seats which include Pintasan (Datuk Fairuz Renddan); Petagas (Datuk Awang Ahmad Sah Sahari) and Kukusan's Datuk Rina Jainal.
In the Pintasan state seat, Fairuz, who is also a former Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) Youth member, retained his seat after defeating several high-profile candidates including Usno (GRS) president Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia with a majority of 1,070 votes.
Reports said that young voters stood firmly behind him, carrying his campaign both online and on the ground.
The state constituency, which has 15,896 registered voters, saw an 11-cornered contest.
In Petagas, Awang Ahmad Sah, who was also the incumbent state assemblyman on a GRS ticket, retained the seat in a 10-cornered contest, including defeating his own brother Datuk Awang Husaini Sahari from Pakatan Harapan (PH) with a majority of 1,255 votes from 20,116 registered voters.
Meanwhile, Rina, from Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah maintained her position in the Kukusan state seat after overcoming a 10-cornered contest and winning with a majority of 650 votes.
She resigned two days before nomination and defended the seat on her own, and her win reflects the trust built through steady, consistent service.
Apart from the incumbents, several new candidates also stole the show.
In the Bandau state seat, independent candidate Datuk Dr Maijol Mahap defeated 12 other candidates with a narrow majority of 244 votes.
GRS replaced him at the last minute with Datuk Redonah Bahanda and even when facing a 13-cornered contest and the well-established Bahanda siblings, Maijol remained consistent and emerged victorious.
In the Tulid state seat, the youngest Independent candidate to win in this state election, Jordan Jude Ellron, caused a surprise in a 14-cornered contest.
The former STAR youth exco chief, was first confirmed as a candidate but later dropped by party president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan. - December 1, 2025