SABAH POLLS | Tambunan, a highland district known for its Mat Salleh Memorial and the homegrown tobacco sold openly at the morning market, is a place where politics sits quietly beneath layers of tradition, memory, and kinship.
It has been the seat of power for the Kitingan family for 49 years since Kadazandusun paramount leader Joseph Pairin Kitingan first won the Sabah state seat in 1976. It was later taken over by his younger brother Jeffrey (above) in 2018.
Loyalty to the family is strong, but it reveals a generational gap. While the older Dusuns living here still revere the Kitingan family name, those younger than 60 appear to be ready for a change.
But the gap isn't just about political factionalism. Among the older voters, there is fear that Sabah is being taken over by undocumented migrants - a problem which they associate with Warisan and its leader Shafie Apdal.
Sixty-one-year-old Neil Stephen claims he witnessed migrants being transported out of a timber camp in three buses during the 2018 polls.
“I saw them with my own eyes, three 12-seater buses came out of the timber camp,” said Neil, who was working at the camp’s security checkpoint at the time.
There is no independent verification of Neil’s account, which reflects long-standing fears commonly expressed among older rural voters.
His wife, Priscilla, is equally wary of Warisan. She alleged that Shafie replaced people in the Sabah Foundation with “his own kin”.
“They will only help their own kind,” she said, referring to Shafie’s Bajau ethnicity.
Her remarks reflect another rumour frequently repeated in Tambunan, mostly from social media, although Shafie has publicly denied accusations of nepotism in the past.
‘We don’t trust Shafie’
When asked how certain they were that Warisan had done such things, Priscilla replied bluntly: “Whatever it is, we don’t trust Shafie.”
Priscilla was clear that she and her husband support Jeffrey, who is seeking a third term as Tambunan assemblyperson.
“Of course, we vote for Jeffrey. People say he jumps parties, but his struggle for state rights is the same,” she said, referring to the Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) president's long-standing push on the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the 40 percent revenue entitlement.
Jeffrey won Tambunan in the 2020 state election by 6,792 votes under the Perikatan Nasional banner. He was supposed to contest as part of Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) - but disagreements with the coalition over cooperation with peninsula-based Pakatan Harapan led to a split.
Now he faces six opponents, with GRS’ Victor Paut seen as his strongest challenger, while Warisan and KDM have also fielded candidates in the crowded contest.
Priscila scoffed when Victor's name was mentioned, recalling a recent event where the GRS candidate reportedly gave attendees a RM50 "token".
“Is that how he values us? RM50?” she asked.
‘Jeffrey holds the edge’
But those in their 40s have a softer, more fluid view: some cautiously admire GRS newcomer Victor for his youth and energy, while others question what they perceive as displays of wealth.
Middle-aged shopkeeper Chin Fah Loong put it plainly: while Victor appears to be the main challenger alongside Jeffrey, the veteran still holds the edge.
“People say the two candidates are strong, both Jeffrey and Victor. I think it’s 50-50,” said Chin, adding that Warisan also enjoys strong chatter in WhatsApp groups.
“At this point, Victor, a newcomer, may not win. Perhaps in another two or three Sabah elections,” he said.
Chin noted at least one memorable incident involving the GRS candidate, though. He recalled that in May, during the Kaamatan celebrations organised at the popular Pisompuruan Square in town, a lucky draw winner walked away with a brand-new car courtesy of Victor.
“When Victor’s name is mentioned, this is what I can only recall of him. If no one asked, I won’t be able to remember him at all,” he said.
Status quo ‘not working’
Other middle-aged voters Malaysiakini met indicated a growing feeling that the status quo is not working for Tambunan.
At the market coffee shop, 42-year-old Emma Michael said older generations appear firmly behind Jeffrey, but working-class voters want change from the issues plaguing the town.
She said many youths prefer to migrate to urban centres such as Kota Kinabalu because there is little prospect for them in Tambunan.
“For us, it depends on the future here. Many of our children leave Tambunan.
“We want to see something new and proper jobs, so many of the youths would not migrate elsewhere,” she said.
Emma said that if the government seriously develops tourism in Tambunan, thousands of young people could find work and stop leaving the district.
“Tambunan has a lot to offer - the cold and clean weather at night, Mahua Waterfall, Mount Trusmadi, the Rafflesia flower, and historical sites like the Mat Salleh Memorial and Pisompuruan Square,” she said.
Migrant workers ‘not a threat’
The lack of jobs for youths in Tambunan, inadvertently, then leads to an environment where migrant workers fill the gaps - and fuel fear among the senior citizens.
Emmanuel Alexius, 47, believes the migrant issue is not a major concern for his age group, who often rely on migrant labour for harvesting, renovation work and daily tasks.
He said many of his peers are less likely to see migrants as a threat.
“Most of this anger (towards migrants) is amplified on social media, as a way to discredit Warisan. But we are not really buying it.
“The reality is the locals here use the migrants to secure contracts or do housing renovations. They make money from these projects.
“For me, I prefer to cut out the middlemen and negotiate directly with the migrants. It’s far cheaper,” said Emmanuel, laughing about what he described as a massive discount.
According to demographic estimates, the 30-49 age group forms roughly 44 percent of Tambunan’s electorate, while about 23.2 percent are aged 21-29.
But many young voters are likely working outside of Tambunan and are unlikely to return to vote on Nov 29, which could very well determine whether or not the Kitingan family retains its grip on the constituency. - Mkini
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