TAWAU:
The independent candidate for the Apas state seat, Ardi Arsah, yesterday announced his withdrawal from contesting and pledged his support for the Barisan Nasional (BN). Ardi and about 300 supporters declared their support for BN before Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman, who is also Sabah BN chairman, here yesterday. The withdrawal means that Apas will now see a straight fight between BN’s Datuk Tawfiq Abu Bakar Titingan and Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s (PKR) Vun Kon Pau @ Henry Vun. Despite the withdrawal, Ardi’s name will still appear on the ballot paper as it came more than three days after nomination day. Ardi said he decided to withdraw from contesting as he realised that only BN could develop Sabah. “I made the decision yesterday after discussing it with my supporters.” he said. BN received a further boost when Tawau PKR division secretary Yusuf Siha, vice-chief I Ahmad Jumadi and vice-chief II Othmah Tuyau pledged their support for BN. Meanwhile, the Barisan Rakyat Sabah (BRS) party also suffered a setback when its Tawau division was dissolved after division chief Landasan Tumabil and its committee members declared they had quit the party and supported BN. When asked about this development, Musa said those who quit their parties realised that they did not gain anything by joining the opposition. -Bernama
