Ahmad Bn Ready To Back Harapan Face Off Against Traitors In Sabah Polls

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INTERVIEW | Umno’s election “war room” chief Ahmad Maslan has set his sights beyond BN’s own candidates for the 17th Sabah polls, pledging to also assist allies from Pakatan Harapan.
With seat negotiations entering their final stretch, the deputy works minister said he is ready to support “old and new friends” while taking on those who “betrayed Umno.”
Speaking to Malaysiakini during an interview in Parliament, Ahmad (above) revealed he had just returned from Merotai - located about 30km from Tawau - where he accompanied his “old friend” Ruji Ubi, previously named as Harapan’s contender for the state seat.
“One of the reasons I helped was because we’re on the same team. And I hope that wherever we work together, we can support one another.
“Hopefully, BN can help Harapan during ceramah - and Harapan can do the same for BN,” said the Pontian MP.
Ahmad explained that he and Ruji go way back, both having served under then-minister Mustapa Mohamed.
“Ruji was Mustapa’s special officer in 1999 while I was his senior private secretary. He went on to serve Mustapa for 10 years, and so did I. So yes, we’re friends,” he said.
Ruji, an unknown candidate
A Malaysiakini ground check last month found that despite Ruji’s federal civil service background, he remains relatively unknown among Merotai voters, who instead cited Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (PHRS) president Liew Yun Fah and incumbent Warisan assemblyperson Sarifuddin Hata as frontrunners.
Ruji UbiLiew, a former Merotai representative, heads a Gabungan Rakyat Sabah component party and is expected to defend his turf.
PKR president Anwar Ibrahim is set to unveil Harapan’s full candidate list on Nov 9 in Kota Kinabalu.
“Since he (Liew) is the party president, of course, he wants to contest again in Merotai. He ran in 2020 and lost.
“Before that, he had won. So, it’s up to the leadership to discuss it with him,” said Ahmad, noting that Ruji was the first PKR candidate confirmed for the polls.
‘No deal with GRS’
Ahmad also reiterated that BN has officially cut ties with GRS, saying any fallout in Merotai would be for Harapan to manage.
“We have several appointed positions that can be given to those affected - senatorships or appointed assemblyperson posts. There are six appointed assembly seats available,” he said.
Ahmad said Umno is ready to face GRS and Warisan as its main rivals, while not discounting other Sabah-based parties or independents.
“GRS is being criticised by both BN and Perikatan Nasional for betraying our struggles. That’s why we have no ties with them.
“If we have to face them, so be it. But we will not contest against Harapan - for example, in Merotai,” he stressed.
He warned that if both Liew and Ruji end up contesting, the split vote could give Warisan an advantage.
“Liew loses, Ruji loses - and Warisan wins. Because the current assemblyperson there is from Warisan. When votes split, you lose. I want to reiterate - we have no dealings with GRS,” Ahmad said.
‘Love triangle’
Ties between BN, Harapan, and GRS had previously been described as a “love triangle”, but Ahmad insisted that only Harapan has ties with Umno and GRS, placing the coalition in an advantageous position.
“Harapan benefits the most because they get support from both BN and GRS. In any seat where Harapan contests, BN won’t, and neither will GRS.
“But in BN seats, GRS and Warisan will contest; in GRS seats, BN and Warisan will. So, the safest one is Harapan. They’re smart,” he quipped.
Apart from Merotai, other seats in contention between PKR, BN, and GRS include Gum-Gum and Karamunting, both located under the larger Sandakan area.
Suspended MPs risk losing seats
Looking beyond nomination day on Nov 15, Ahmad said Umno is prepared to take disciplinary action against two suspended members - Putatan MP and incumbent Tanjung Keramat assemblyperson Shahelmey Yahya, and Kalabakan MP and incumbent Tanjung Batu assemblyperson Andi Suryady Bandy.
“They’re currently suspended. When someone leaves the party, two things happen. First, they have to pay RM100 million to Umno - they’ve already signed that agreement.
“Second, under the anti-hopping provision, their departure would create vacancies in their parliamentary seats,” he said.
Umno suspended Shahelmey and Andi in 2023 after the duo refused to join their party’s attempt to oust Hajiji Noor as Sabah chief minister.
Shahelmey YahyaAhmad explained that since the MPs were sworn in on Dec 18, 2022, any resignation before Dec 18, 2025, would trigger by-elections.
“If they act on Nov 15 by submitting nomination papers, that means they’re officially no longer Umno members,” he added.
Polling for the 17th Sabah election will be held on Nov 29 with early voting on Nov 25. - Mkini

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