The constituency, which also covers the town of Beaufort, has always been Lajim’s stronghold regardless of his political alliance. In the last election, he defended the seat again, albeit by the skin of his teeth, when he defeated Isnin by 179 votes.
Lajim was then Sabah PKR chairman.
The popular veteran politician however did not find life as an opposition member easy and has openly complained about the government’s neglect of his constituency.
Nevertheless, it seems that his new party has grown from strength to strength, particularly in the southwest coast of Sabah, with an influx of new members, especially from Umno.
Political observers believe the locals are still attached to the man who brought so much development to their once-remote village, transforming it into what Beaufort is today.
“More than 90% of Klias has been developed, and all this was done since I became the assemblyman here. The roads are paved, new lands are opened, the people are better off – all this was done because I fought for them,” Lajim told FMT.
However, Lajim noted that development had stalled in the constituency since he left Barisan Nasional (BN) in 2012. He expects the issue to be used against him in Umno’s campaign.
Lajim’s observation may not be too far off as Isnin already said in December last year that many opposition supporters were dissatisfied because of the lack of development in the constituency.
“This is a good sign for BN and I am confident, with cooperation from all BN component parties, we will be able to recapture the seat,” he said.
But despite Isnin’s confidence, there are still a few issues that need to be tackled, particularly the defamation suit brought against him by the Sabah Reform Movement (APS) for allegedly insulting the Dusun people.
The case, which was filed in the Keningau native court, revolved around claims that Isnin had sent several messages through the WhatsApp messaging service to a rival in Ranau, using obscene and insulting words against the Dusun community in Sabah.
Isnin never denied the allegation or offered an apology.
To make matters worse, the Keningau native court has continued rescheduling the hearing date since 2016.
“I have not forgotten the issue. It is still fresh in my mind especially because I am a voter in Klias and I voted for him in the last election.
“I doubt he will apologise. But I have already made up my mind that he will not get my vote again if he stands in Klias,” said Kennedy Ansing, a driver from Beaufort.
Dusun Bisaya vegetable hawker Saridah Abdullah said while she had no clear recollection of the issue, if the allegation was true, she too would be unhappy.
“But I don’t think he did it. Maybe it was just the opposition’s trick,” she added.
Klias has about 62% Muslim Bumiputera voters but many of them are also of Dusun Bisaya descent. Political observers believe the native court case may have an impact on Isnin’s support.
Meanwhile, Lajim commands a healthy support and respect from the large Bisaya community, especially as he is the president of the Bisaya Cultural Association.
Then again, Klias still needs development and as long as the seat is held by the opposition, the constituency will continue to be sidelined unless the opposition manages to topple the BN state government.