Anticipated Pandikar Arsit Face Off Fizzles As Latter Skips Grs Event

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SABAH POLLS | The supposed face-off between United Sabah National Organisation (Usno) president Pandikar Amin Mulia and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah figure Arsit Sedi was anticlimactic, as the latter was a no-show at GRS’ manifesto launch.
The two were expected to cross paths yesterday after a leaked audio recording revealed Pandikar (above) challenging Arsit to confront him “on the 17th”.
The launch was held at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) in Kota Kinabalu.
When contacted, Arsit replied: “I am in my kawasan (constituency).”
Arsit is a leader in Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan), which is part of the GRS caretaker state government.
He previously contested for Petagas in 2020 when he was still in Bersatu.
Arsit SediTensions between Arsit and Pandikar flared up after the former’s message in a GRS WhatsApp group urging voters to “break those greediest husband and wife candidates” got leaked.
It was a veiled reference to Pandikar and his wife, Diana Diego, who are contesting in Pintasan and Sekong, respectively.
Arsit joining Upko?
Earlier, Pandikar suggested that Arsit might have joined the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) after the outburst on WhatsApp, but Arsit denied it.
This came after several photos of Arsit sitting with Upko leaders at an event went viral.
Arsit said he attended the event in his capacity as chairperson of a farmers’ association, adding he respected Upko president Ewon Benedick as the latter helped him a lot when Ewon was the federal cooperatives minister.
Upko secretary-general Nelson Anggang also confirmed Arsit did not join the party.
Asked whether he was prepared to make peace with Pandikar, Arsit insisted he bore no personal hostility against him.
“I have no grudge with anyone. I only translated the feelings of the netizens,” he said.
Arsit added that his frustration also partly stemmed from Pakatan Harapan’s candidate in Petagas seeking assistance in their campaign, which he was reluctant to offer.
“Again, a Harapan candidate asked for our help, like they are being controlled by Malaya people,” he said.
Pandikar has yet to respond at the time of writing.
Sabah votes on Nov 29. - Mkini

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