The party has decided to field a local farmer, Shahrizal Denci, in its effort to garner support from voters in one of the country’s poorest districts.

“I don’t hate my rivals. I stand because I love the people. In Kota Marudu, farmers are suffering because they cannot sell their rice or rubber at higher prices.

“Half of the people there are poor farmers. As a farmer myself, I understand their plight and I will fight for their rights,” he told reporters here today after Muda secretary-general Amira Aisya Abd Aziz announced his candidacy.

Shahrizal, who was credited with bringing Muda to Sabah, said he was confident the people of Kota Marudu would realise they need to change their elected representative if they wanted to lead better lives.

Kota Marudu has been the home of PBS president Maximus Ongkili since the constituency was created in 2004. Before that, Kota Marudu was part of the Bandau federal constituency which was also held by Ongkili since 1995.

Three weeks ago, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairman Hajiji Noor hinted that the six-term MP, who is also the Sabah and Sarawak affairs minister in the caretaker federal government, would be defending the seat in GE15.