Warisan Fields Fuad Stephens Daughter For Sabah Polls Leiking Bows Out

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Warisan has unveiled its full slate of 73 candidates for the upcoming Sabah state election.
In a line-up that blends heritage, loyalty, and renewal, it features the daughter of Sabah’s founding father and Warisan president Shafie Apdal’s brother.
Fauziah, the daughter of Sabah’s former chief minister Fuad Stephens, will contest in Bengkoka, marking a return of one of Sabah’s most historic family names to the political arena.
Shafie will defend his long-held Senallang seat, while his brother Yusof will contest in Silam, reinforcing the Apdal family’s political foothold in Sabah’s east coast.
Warisan’s Kota Belud MP, Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis, is expanding her reach to the state level, contesting in Usukan, where she is expected to face off against Umno stalwart, Salleh Said Keruak.
Fauziah Fuad StephensMissing from the line-up, however, is Darell Leiking, Warisan’s deputy president and outgoing Moyog assemblyperson.
His seat will instead be contested by Terrence Siambun, signalling a quiet but clear generational shift within the party’s senior ranks.
The party is also fielding candidates against political giants - with newcomer Mokhtar Hussin against Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairperson Hajiji Noor for Sulaman, Jeffrey Gopog against PBS president Joachim Gunsalam, and Bianus Kontong against Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) president Jeffrey Kitingan.
Mix of experienced and young candidates
Shafie said nearly a third of the party’s election candidates are made up of young people, with many of them being professionals and first-time contenders.
“We have four lawyers, a former judge, a magistrate, 14 engineers, 16 master’s degree holders, and six with PhDs,” Shafie told reporters after announcing the party’s lineup.
The former Sabah chief minister said the combination of experienced leaders and new faces reflected Warisan’s effort to balance continuity with renewal.
Warisan president Shafie Apdal“We believe these candidates are not only experienced and loyal, but also represent the voice of the younger generation.
“This is a mix of young and senior leaders who can serve the people well,” he stressed.
On Leiking’s absence from the list, Shafie said the party’s deputy president had decided to concentrate on his role as election director.
“He continues to serve as Warisan’s election director, assisted by Aziz Jamman (party information chief), and both will lead our campaign down to the grassroots,” said Shafie.
Aside from Leiking, incumbent Silam assemblyperson Dumi Pg Masdal is also not on the candidates' list.
Focusing on candidates
When contacted, Leiking confirmed that he decided not to contest to focus on his duties as Warisan election director.
He also said Shafie had repeatedly asked him to reconsider his decision, but Leiking stood firm.
Warisan deputy president Darell Leiking“I want to win. For me to win, I need to organise the whole candidates’ list and the election machinery.
“I was asked by Shafie more than five times, ‘Please reconsider,’ but I said, ‘No, I want to win.’
“And my way of winning is I want to be in charge of the candidates,” he told Malaysiakini. - Mkini

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