By Rohana Nasrah

PAPAR, Sept 16 -- Datuk Johnny Mositun traversed the dirt road on a four-wheel-drive vehicle 18 km from the main road just to meet with the villagers of Kampung Mondikot, Kaiduan.

The panoramic view of the crystal clear waters of Sungai Kaiduan accompanied the 63-year-old politician along the 40-minute journey.

Clad in a white shirt adorned with the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) logo, the party he has been loyal to since 1985, the party vice-president is always eager to meet with the villagers, not only just to give talks on his aspirations for the people in Limbahau if he was elected in the Sept 26 state election.

Limbahau is one of the new 13 seats to be contested in the state election.

His simple approach to win voters was evident in the absence of the usual setting to greet a visiting politician, but the way Mositun conducted himself showed that he was no stranger to the villagers.

The biggest desire of this politician, who is also former Deputy Speaker of Sabah State Legislative Assembly, to bring developments for the well-being of the people in Limbahau, was made known at a community event held in a humble makeshift booth, with bamboo walls, earth floor and zinc roof.

“I have occasionally visited this area since 2016. There is still a lot to do in terms of development including building paved roads that are much needed by the villagers besides other basic facilities such as a suspension bridge. This area should be developed,” he said in his speech at the event.

A villager, Welvin Jamani, 30, from Kampung Moloyuon, told Bernama that Mositun is well known by the people of Kampung Kaiduan and its surrounding areas because he often gone down to the field to meet the people even before the election to hand over donations to the people.

Welvin also hoped that the elected candidate would give priority to the construction of paved roads in the area.

Another villager, Mismah Kukundu, 52, from Kampung Torintid Bolotikon considered Mositun as a friendly, caring leader who understands what the villagers need and always strive to meet their every request.

“He has been coming here since the beginning. He will attend any activity held by the villagers such as festivities, wedding ceremonies, let alone in their times of need, he will always come.  He will give help whenever we need it,” she said.  

Mositun then proceeded to Kampung Dambai to continue with his campaign.

Mositun will face seven other candidates in the eight-cornered fight for the Limbahau seat, which has a total of 12,739 voters.

The challengers are Datuk Juil Nuatim from Parti Warisan Sabah; Cornelius Frederick @ Michael Fj Sulip (LDP); Susanna Jainim Jaris (United Sabah National Organisation Party); Aubrey G Sham (Parti Cinta Sabah); Evelyn June Charlie (Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah) and independent candidates, Pius Lokiom and Luarence Onjuman.

-- BERNAMA