Political Dynasties Dominate Sabah Polls Race

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The Sabah state election is fast becoming a contest of family names, with relatives of governors, ministers, and party founders fielded across rival coalitions.
From the Istana Negeri to long-established political dynasties, household names are re-emerging under different banners in what analysts describe as the most familial election in the state’s modern history.
A year after Musa Aman took his oath as Sabah’s 11th governor, his extended family has re-entered the fray in force.
Musa’s (above) sons, brother, nephews, and son-in-law are contesting under several different parties, as follows:
ADSYamani Hafez Musa, the governor’s son and former deputy finance minister, will contest Sindumin under PKR.
Hazem Mubarak Musa, another son, will run in Sungai Manila under Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
Anifah Aman, Musa’s younger brother and Parti Cinta Sabah president, will be standing in Bongawan, also under GRS.
Annuar Ayub Aman, Musa’s nephew, will defend Liawan under GRS, while his brother Ishak Ayub Aman will contest Bingkor under the Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) banner.
The two are the sons of Berjaya-era minister Ayub Aman, who is Musa’s older brother.
Anifah AmanArifin Arif, Musa’s son-in-law, will be seeking re-election in Membakut under GRS.
In Liawan, Nik Nadzri Nik Zawawi is Umno’s pick for the seat, setting up a family-line clash as he’ll be going against his cousin Annuar.
Together, Musa’s family stretches across at least six constituencies, showing how deeply the family remains woven into Sabah’s politics despite the governor’s formal neutrality as head of state.
However, his long tenure as Sabah chief minister, from 2003 to 2018, helped shape the state’s infrastructure and finances, achievements that his relatives often invoke when appealing to older voters.
A dynasty that never left
ADSPolitical analyst Lee Kuok Tiung of Universiti Malaysia Sabah said the family’s spread across rival coalitions shows the unique nature of Sabah’s political culture.
“Their family indeed comes from a political background, and each member has their own merits both in Sabah and at the national level.
“Anifah previously served as the foreign minister, while Yamani was the former deputy finance minister II.
“But they are now representing different parties, which shows how fluid Sabah politics can be,” he told Malaysiakini.
Political analyst Lee Kuok TiungAsked if the widespread candidacies suggest a single guiding figure, Lee said the pattern reflects Sabah’s adaptive political families rather than a central “mastermind”.
“Each (individual) stands on their own strength. Kinship here is a network, not a command chain,” he added.
The Yong siblings: Old guard revival
Elsewhere, another prominent political family is returning to the field.
Yong Teck Lee is the president of Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) and a former Sabah chief minister.
While Yong is not contesting in the polls, his children, 38-year-old Yit Jee and Yvonne, 40, will contest in the Sabah election.
Yit Jee, a lawyer, will contest the Likas seat, while businessperson Yvonne will stand in Segama.
Usno’s husband-and-wife ticket
Further north, United Sabah National Organisation (Usno) Pandikar Amin Mulia, a former Dewan Rakyat speaker, has entered the race alongside his wife Diana Diego, another first for Sabah’s modern political scene.
Pandikar, a veteran of both federal and state politics, will contest Pintasan, while Diana will be standing in Sekong under the Usno-GRS banner.
Sabah will go to the polls on Nov 29, with nomination day this Saturday. - Mkini

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