KIULU: Incumbent Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Louis Rampas is ready to assist his protege, Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, rain or shine.
They were all smiles when spotted sharing an umbrella during a heavy downpour when campaigning at Kampung Hamad here, thus rubbishing rumours of tension between the two following a last minute change in the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) candidates list.
PBS president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan, when unveiling the party’s candidate list on April 16, had announced that Rampas would be defending his Kiulu state seat in the 13th General Election.
However, Pairin made last minute changes to the list, replacing not only Kiulu, by fielding newcomer Kiulu PBS vice chief Bangkuai, but also the incumbent Johnny Goh with Joseph Paulus Lantip for Inanam.
The sudden change had created some tension among Rampas’ supporters against Bangkuai, who was also the New Straits Times Press regional editor and the Sabah Journalists Association president.
But with Rampas strong backing for Bangkuai, the so-called tension began to subside.
In fact, Rampas has been on Bangkuai’s side ever since the campaign period began on April 21, going to villages to introduce the new candidate to the people.
Apart from Rampas and Bangkuai, the Barisan Nasional candidate for Tuaran parliamentary seat, Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau (UPKO-BN) and Tamparuli state seat candidate, Datuk Jahid Jahim (PBS–BN) have also joined the duo in their campaign rounds.
Singer-cum-actress Easther Wesley and Sabah Reserve League coach Justin Ganai have also spared their time to campaign for Bangkuai here.