For some, it doesn't pay to be a 'katak'

SABAH POLLS | Taking gambles is part and parcel of politics. One such gamble is switching allegiances in the hope of attaining greater power.

For a group of Sabah lawmakers who defected after the 2018 general election, that was probably a gamble that they will ultimately regret.

A total of 13 Sabah lawmakers who defected from BN component parties since the 14th general election are not on the candidates’ list of any major party for the forthcoming state election.

Without the backing of political parties, these 13 incumbents would most likely lose, should they attempt to retain their seats as independent candidates or as candidates of obscure parties.

Ten of them belong to a group that took part in the "Seri Anggerik Move".

In late July, 14 ruling party lawmakers joined a gathering at Seri Anggerik - the home of incumbent Sungai Sibuga assemblyperson Musa Aman in Kota Kinabalu - to announce the formation of a new government.

That plan was scuttled by governor Juhar Mahiruddin (above), who dissolved the State Legislative Assembly, paving way for fresh elections.

Of the 14, only four have been picked up by major parties as candidates for the Sept 26 election.

James Ratib (incumbent Sugut lawmaker) was re-admitted into Umno. He will also be the only BN or Umno candidate to defend his seat in this election.

Bersatu picked up Limus Jury (Kuala Penyu) and Abd Muis Picho (Sebatik), who won their seats in 2018 on BN-Upko and BN-Umno tickets, respectively.

Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) picked up Abidin Madingkir (Paginatan) who won his seat in 2018 on a BN-Upko ticket.

The 10 incumbents that no party wants are Lasiah Baranting (Tandek), Abdul Rahman Kongkawan (Labuk), Kenny Chua Teck Ho (Inanam), Bolkiah Ismail (Pitas), Osman Jamal (Balung), Musbah Jamli (Tempasuk), Hamisa Samat (Tanjong Batu), Jamawi Ja'afar (Kemabong), Saddi Abdul Rahman (Sukau) and Masiung Banah (Kuamut).

The experience will probably sting more for first-time lawmakers Abdul Rahman, Chua, Osman and Jamawi who, unlike the multi-term lawmakers, will only collect a partial pension.

Another group of three defectors who left BN component parties for Bersatu in 2019 were not listed as candidates by any major party.

The three are Matbali Musah (Lumadan), Japlin Akim (Usukan) and Bobbey Ah Fang Suan (Nabawan).

Umno will be fielding candidates for these three seats.

It should be pointed out that Bersatu's incumbent lawmakers in Sabah are entirely made out of defectors and they will be making their Sabah debut this election.

The sole incumbent BN lawmaker who is not the list of any major party to retain his seat is Musa.

Ellron Angin, who won on a BN-PBRS ticket in 2018, will be seeking to retain his seat as a Star candidate. Ellron joined Star in late 2018.

In short, of the 31 elected Sabah lawmakers who attempted the "Seri Anggerik Move", only 17 have been chosen by major parties to defend their seats.

The rest, by triggering the dissolution of the Sabah Legislative Assembly, had inadvertently shown themselves the exit from the corridors of power.

On the Warisan Plus front, five incumbent lawmakers were dropped, all from Warisan.

The five are Jenifer Lasimbang (Moyog), Azhar Matussin (Karambunai), Uda Sulai (Petagas), Aidi Moktar (Pantai Manis) and Arifin Asgali (Sekong). All are first time lawmakers and were not involved in defections.

Although Warisan Plus component party United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) won six seats in the 2018 elections, it is fielding its sole remaining incumbent Ewon Benedick (Kadamaian).

The five other Upko incumbents had defected before the legislative assembly was dissolved. - Mkini