RANAU: Former Roman Catholic priest, Bruno Andau Yasun, made heads turn when he turned up to offer himself as a candidate for the Ranau parliamentary seat in the 14th General Election on nomination day last Saturday.
Bruno, 58, who was in the missionary service for 26-years, believes he has to move on to a “deeper call” to help people through politics with Parti Cinta Sabah.
“It’s another way of helping people,” said Bruno, fondly known as “Father Bruno” to many.
“There may be those who are disappointed with my departure from the diocese but there are also those who support my cause and want me to become their representative,” he said.
Bruno, who has served the church in many rural Kadazandusun areas such as Tambunan, Telupid, Tuaran, Papar and Kiulu in the last three decades, believes he has good support from the grassroots.
“Although I may get my support from those who see me as a former priest, I want them to choose me for my struggles and the party I represent.
“My manifesto is to ensure a systematic distribution of development, to abolish red tape as well as supply basic necessities to rural areas,” he said.
Bruno said he had informed the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu of his departure from the priesthood after offering himself as a candidate.
The archdiocese had subsequently issued a statement that Bruno was contesting on his own volition and without the consent of the church.
Bruno, who was a bank clerk and highway technician before he became a priest, will face Barisan Nasional’s incumbent Ranau Member of Parliament, Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin, as well as candidates from Parti Solidariti TanahAirku and Parti Keadilan Rakyat.