PENAMPANG: Lawyer Darell Leiking is contesting in a general election for the first time.
The 42-year-old will be taking on incumbent member of parliament and veteran Sabah politician Tan Sri Bernard Dompok and another newcomer, Melanie Annol of Sabah STAR on May 5.
When met at the nomination centre and asked about his chances in the three-cornered fight, the PKR Penampang chief was of the opinion that all the candidates have a fair chance in the election.
“I am more confident now as the process had been peaceful and friendly,” the PKR national deputy secretary general said.
“It is up to the voters to choose who they feel can bring them what they desire. It is up to them to decide what sort of policies, leadership and movement they want for Penampang. A win for Pakatan in Penampang will bring them what they want,” Darell said.
Melanie, Sabah STAR’s Women chief, is the sole woman candidate for the Penampang parliamentary seat.
She preferred not to comment about her chances in the election because to her, every party that is contesting has equal chance of winning until the result is out.
“Each party will claim that they are strong,” she said, adding that Sabah STAR is fielding four women candidates in the 13th general election.
Meanwhile, Sabah DAP secretary Dr Edwin Bosi who is contesting for Kapayan, told reporters that the party’s candidates are now allowed to use its logo.
“I am contesting under DAP logo and the returning officer accepted the letter of appointment issued by DAP. I am of course prepared to contest under PKR logo. We, Pakatan Rakyat are in a partnership and we must not only be seen to be partners but also show support for each other.
“We have instructed all our candidates to use the DAP logo unless the returning officer rejects it, then they will have to use the contingency plan,” he said.
Bosi when asked about his chances in the election replied, “I give my confidence to the people. I feel that as this is an urban area, the people are better informed. I think they know the issues and they know which party can represent them better both at the state and national levels.
“I think they already have that conclusion, I hope I am right and I believe that on May 5, I will be proven right,” he said.