SEMPORNA: Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal is facing a four-cornered fight to defend his Semporna parliamentary seat for another term.
The 66-year-old Parti Warisan president is challenged by Nixon Abdul Hadi from Gabungan Rakyat Sabah-Barisan Nasional (GRS-BN), Arastam Pandorog (Pakatan Harapan) and Ab Rajik@Ab Ra Rajak Ab Hamid (Pejuang).
"We are quite confident as we have been providing our services for the constituency for a long time," said the former chief minister, who has served Semporna since 1995.
Businessman Nixon, 53, said he would be campaigning for issues that the incumbent leader failed to do.
"He knows (what he had not done) and he has caused disunity not only in Semporna, but also elsewhere."
Deep sea fish businessman Arastam, 60, said he was not afraid to go against Shafie.
"As a newcomer, we hope the people of Semporna will see the change in leadership and development," said Arastam, who is also contesting in the Bugaya state seat.
In announcing the list of candidates at Semporna Community Hall here, returning officer Juraimin Jadil said there were seven candidates for the Bugaya state seat.
Besides Arastam, other candidates are Jamil Hamzah (Warisan), Mohd Hassan Abu Bakar (Pejuang), Nazmawari Walli (Parti Bangsa Malaysia), Karil Pg Kuraini (Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah), Zulfadzli Shi Ahmad (Independent) and Abd Aziz Mohd Ibno (Barisan Nasional).
Zulfadzli, who is contesting for a second time, said he would be leveraging social media platforms like YouTube and TikTok to campaign and make political commentaries.