By Lesaya L Sorudim
KOTA KINABALU: Pantai Dalit, one of Sabah’s youngest state constituencies created in 2019 and first contested in 2020, is shaping up to be a fascinating political battleground in the coming state election.
The seat, predominantly Bajau-Muslim, is currently held by Datuk Jasnih Hj. Daya, who won under the BN–Umno banner but is now aligned with GRS–PGRS. Jasnih’s incumbency gives him the advantage of visibility and network, yet his association with the ruling bloc may also expose him to anti-establishment sentiment among younger voters.
Rumours suggest that BN–Umno, eager to reclaim lost ground, may field its Tuaran division chief, Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan, a seasoned politician and former federal minister in Najib Razak’s cabinet.
Rahman’s return could energize the Umno grassroots, but whether he can resonate with younger, first-time voters remains uncertain. There’s also some buzz going around that Alfian Sambas is among the names being considered.
Other expected contenders include Francis Fahir of STAR, a retired radio host with strong name recognition; Jaesman Gipin of PKDM, representing the new generation of grassroots leaders; and Chrisnadia Sinam of Warisan, a former PKR Tuaran leader known for her reformist energy and appeal to youth.
What makes Pantai Dalit particularly unpredictable is its voter composition.
About 40% of the electorate are aged between 18 and 25, a demographic that does not respond to the old playbook of racial rhetoric, printed posters, or leaflets.
Their opinions are shaped by social media narratives, online debates, and the perceived authenticity of candidates.
These voters are likely to be issue-oriented — caring more about job creation, education, and governance than about party loyalties.
In this context, the 2025 election in Pantai Dalit may not just be a clash between BN–Umno’s traditional machinery and GRS–PGRS’s incumbency, but a generational contest between the old political order and a tech-savvy, independent-minded electorate.
The outcome could serve as a bellwether for the rest of Sabah: a sign of whether power in the state is still decided by party logos — or by the pulse of a digital generation redefining the future of Sabah politics. – jesseltontimes.com
