MEMBAKUT: Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) candidate Datuk Karim Bujang is confident of winning the Kimanis parliamentary by-election, based on sentiments on the ground.
The Kimanis Warisan division chief today said he would give good fight and not be complacent going against Barisan Nasional (BN)'s candidate Datuk Mohamad Alamin.
"Actually, Alamin was my junior. He took over the Bongawan state seat from me. Looking into the local sentiments and comments, I'm sure we can deliver.
"The people must also see I'm no longer in the opposition but with the government," he told reporters after the launching of Warisan-PH-Upko machinery at Dewan Terbuka Membakut, here.
As of now, it looks like a straight fight between Warisan and Umno in the by-election unless independent candidates emerge during the nomination day on Saturday.
While looking forward to contesting, Karim, a 66-year-old businessman, said being given the trust to stand for the by-election was not a pleasure but a great responsibility.
"I'm sure Kimanis is not well developed. We need more attention and assistance from the government.
"Basic infrastructure is still lacking and hopefully with this new era, we should be able to deliver.
"I hope this by-election will become an example for Warisan to work together with PH and Upko in the name of real cooperation to bring development to some of the less developed area," he said.
When asked whether the Sabah Temporary Pass would affect Warisan's chances of winning, Karim acknowledged the people's concern but believed they now have a better understanding of it.
"Of course, where you go you'll hear people talking about PSS,but it doesn't mean everyone is against it.
"I have had engagement with the Deputy Home Minister and he has done a lot of exercises and efforts to explain what PSS is about. I think there has been positive understanding after it was explained," he said.
Touching on the Kimanis result in the 14th General Election, Karim noted that he was a man of principle who believe in the rules of law.
He said he would not hesitate to bring a case to court if he sensed something was not right.
The by-election is being held after the Federal Court on Dec 1 upheld the Special Election Court's decision in August last year which nullified former Umno leader Datuk Seri Anifah Aman's victory in the GE14.
Anifah, who is now independent, retained his seat with 156-vote majority, securing 11,942 votes against Karim’s 11,786 votes. Another candidate, Jaafar Ismail of Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah, obtained 1,300 votes.
Karim first ran for election in 1990 and won Bongawan state seat under Usno. He then joined Umno and continued to retain his seat until 2013.