BONGAWAN – Tan Sri Anifah Aman has urged voters to look beyond personal attacks and instead measure him by what he can deliver for Bongawan, saying the constituency deserves leaders who can bring tangible outcomes, not rhetoric.
During a walkabout here, the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) candidate said criticism about his wealth, success or family background does not affect him, describing such remarks as the usual noise of political competition.
“These attacks don’t bother me,” he told reporters. “The real question is whether I can put my experience, my networks and my resources to work for the people of Bongawan. That is what I want them to evaluate.”
The former foreign minister, who previously served as Kimanis MP, said his early success in business and long career in government should be seen as leverage for local development rather than as political ammunition.
“If my background helps me bring investments, create jobs, uplift families and drive socio-economic change here, then it becomes meaningful. Use me, make full use of what I can offer,” he said.
Anifah added that Bongawan needs representation capable of tackling persistent issues such as infrastructure gaps, limited youth opportunities and uneven economic growth.
“Every candidate has their strengths. What matters is whether those strengths can be transformed into real outcomes for the people,” he said.
His entry into the Bongawan contest has intensified the spotlight on the seat, which has seen heightened voter interest in economic revitalisation and improved infrastructure under the GRS-led state administration.
Responding to ongoing criticism related to Anifah’s family ties, GRS Bongawan Information Chief Mohd Saidin Ibrahim said such attacks are misplaced and reflect a lack of substantive arguments from rivals.
“Let’s be honest, Malaysia has long had families in public service,” he said. “We have the Kitingan brothers, the Apdal brothers, and father-son leaders like Tun Dr Mahathir and Datuk Seri Mukhriz, Tun Razak and Datuk Seri Najib, or Tun Hussein and Datuk Seri Hishammuddin. So what exactly is the problem?”
He said what matters most to Bongawan voters is credibility, service and capability.
“Judge him by his record and what he can do, not by who his brother is,” Saidin added. -MalayaDailyToday
