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SABAH caretaker Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor expressed satisfaction with the smooth and harmonious conduct of the 17th Sabah General Election on Saturday, saying the process had remained well-organised despite a crowded field of contenders.
Hajiji, who is defending the Sulaman seat for Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), acknowledged the intense competition but said he was heartened by the atmosphere on polling day.
“Although many candidates are contesting in this state election, I am happy that harmony is still being maintained,” he said after casting his vote at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Serusup in Tuaran.
He voiced optimism that Sabahans would turn out in strong numbers across all 73 constituencies. “In Tuaran, the weather conditions look good. According to the weather forecast, there may be rain in the afternoon. We hope that registered voters in Sabah will come out to vote early to fulfil their responsibility,” he added.
Hajiji arrived at the polling centre at 11.35am with his wife, Datin Seri Juliah Salag. After both had voted, he obliged photographers with a pose showing his ink-stained index finger before greeting voters gathered outside the centre.
Among those he met was his nephew, Dr Shahnon Rizal Thaijuddin, the young Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate vying for the same seat.
The GRS president is facing a five-cornered contest in Sulaman, which has 18,352 registered voters.
His challengers are Dr Shahnon Rizal (BN), Mokhtar Hussin (Warisan), Tiaminah @ Siti Aminah Ele (Perikatan Nasional) and Pajudin Nordin (Parti Impian Sabah). Hajiji has held the seat for more than three decades, retaining it in 2020 with a majority of 3,099 votes.
By midday, all major party leaders standing in the election had completed their voting duties.
BN Sabah chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, contesting Lamag, cast his ballot at SK Bukit Garam in Kinabatangan.
Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) acting president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam voted in Kundasang at SMK Kundasang.
Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah president Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, the Membakut candidate, voted at SMK Membakut 2, and Parti Warisan leader Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, defending Senallang, cast his ballot at SK Bubul in Semporna.
Sabah DAP chairman Phoong Jin Zhe voted in Likas at SMK Tinggi Kota Kinabalu, while Sabah PKR deputy chairman Datuk Peto Galim, contesting Inanam, voted at SK Kokol in Manggatal.
Three federal deputy ministers also fulfilled their voting responsibilities: Datuk Chan Foong Hin (Tanjung Aru) voted at SK Bahang, Penampang; Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal (Silam) voted at SMK Terusan, Lahad Datu; and Datuk Mohamad Alamin (Bongawan) cast his vote at SK Our Lady, Papar.
Gabungan Rakyat Sabah candidate Datuk Joniston Bangkuai and his wife Datuk Lucy Irene Yong vote at SK Malangang Baru, Kiulu. Joniston has been the area’s assemblyman since 2013.
A total of eight candidates are battling for the votes of Kiulu’s 17,191 registered voters.
This year’s election features 596 candidates competing for 73 state assembly seats, marking one of Sabah’s most crowded contests in recent history. - November 29, 2025
