KOTA KINABALU: Eyebrows were raised and eyes rolled when Datuk Seri Anil Jeet Sandhu was named the Barisan Nasional candidate for the east coast Kunak seat in last month’s state election. According to Anil, Umno had amended its party constitution, allowing Sabah-born people to become party members. “Our party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi asked me ‘boleh menang?’ (Can you win?) “So many people were doubtful about my chances,” he said, adding that many expected Warisan to win the seat hands down. Sabah Punjabi community leader Datuk Ram Singh said that Anil had proven that community work could help someone rise above race-based politics.

Source: The Star December 26, 2025 23:39 UTC