Speaking to FMT, the Barisan Nasional candidate said that many focused only on the narrow majority without considering the broader context of the contest.

“In 2020, it was my first time contesting in Karambunai. People only see the 16-vote majority, but they don’t see how I managed to reduce the opposition’s previous lead of over 5,000 votes.

“That was actually a major achievement that is often overlooked,” he said after a series of campaign events across the constituency.

Besides Aliakbar, Yakub will face off against nine other candidates in his bid to defend the seat, including Yunus Ibrahim (PBK), Matkri Kassim (PKS), Azman Fathil (GAS), Arshad Idris (GRS), Hates Abdul (SPP), Stephen Teo (STAR), Ahmad Jais Otong (Warisan), Saikam Salinggou (Perpaduan) and Adis Jalie (PIS).

He said voter sentiment on the ground suggested that support for BN was recovering, with many still recalling the administration of former prime minister Najib Razak.

“I asked at my ceramah if they missed Datuk Seri Najib. Many said they did, and when I asked what they missed the most, they said the 1Malaysia People’s Aid.

“I believe this time, the people of Sabah will return their trust to BN to form the government,” he said.