Kitingan brothers, brother-in-law square off in Tambunan. Pairin calls Justin Alip as defector.

By Olivia Miwil

olivia@nst.com.my 

Pictures by Malai Rosmah Tuah/NSTP

Parti Bersatu Sabah president Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan (2nd from right) who will face Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) president Datuk Jeffrey Kitingan, brother-in-law Justin Alip, Justin Alip (Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan)) and Nestor Joannes from Parti Cinta Sabah for the Tambunan state seat, arrive at Community Hall in Keningau as early as 8. 45am

KENINGAU: Barisan Nasional incumbent Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan will face his brother, brother-in-law and a challenger from the last election in defending his seat, Tambunan, for an 11th term since 1976.

Pairin, who is Parti Bersatu Sabah president, will face his brother Datuk Jeffrey Kitingan from Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star), brother-in-law Justin Alip under Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) and Nestor Joannes from Parti Cinta Sabah who in 2013 contested as a Star candidate.

Pairin said he had no qualms contesting against Jeffrey, as this will be the third time they squared off, but not against Justin, who he said betrayed PBS when he joined Warisan last year.

“He is no longer a friend for betraying me and the party although PBS has been taking care of him for long time,” Pairin said.

Jeffrey too said seeing Justin, who is married to his and Pairin’s sister, is a “bit strange”.

The two brothers faced-off twice in for the Keningau parliamentary seat before. Pairin who held the seat since 1985 will not be seeking re-election this time around.

The task was given to BN candidate Datuk Daniel Kinsek who will be up against Jeffrey, Warisan's Jake Nointin, Parti Kebangsaan Sabah's Abid Galas, Jius Awang of Parti Cinta Sabah and independent Justin Guka, who is also the former BN assemblyman for Bingkor.

For the Bingkor state seat, it will be a six-cornered fight between Robert Twaik @Nordin (Star), Thomas Anggan (Parti Kebangsaan Sabah), Peter Jino Allion (BN), Dr Oswald Aisat (Parti Anak Negeri), Peter Saili (Dap) and Guka.

Liawan state seat will see BN incumbent Datuk Sairin Karno contesting against Kong Fui Seng (Star), Rasinin Koutis@Kautis (Warisan) and Hussein Madatin (PCS)

Keningau nomination centre at Dewan Masyarakat was blackout for  about 10 minutes as candidates were still filing forms.

Jeffrey and his supporters

Former PBS Youth Chief Jake Jokulin contests in Keningau Parliamentary seat under Warisan ticket.