Abdul Halim Sidek withdraws from Silam contest citing unity priorities, leaving 8 candidates for seat.
PETALING JAYA: Silam state constituency will now see eight candidates vying for the seat after Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) candidate Abdul Halim Sidek Gulam Hassan officially withdrew from the 17th Sabah State Election.
In a statement announcing his decision, Abdul Halim said the withdrawal was made following detailed discussions with PH’s top leadership, emphasising that it was a personal choice made without external pressure or negotiation.
“I wish to emphasise that this is a personal decision made without any pressure or negotiation from external parties. It was reached after mature consideration to preserve good relations and harmony with other partner parties,” said Abdul Halim, who was among 12 Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) candidates.
The PKR candidate stressed that unity and cooperation between PH and other political parties take precedence over individual ambitions for Sabah’s political future.
“I believe that unity and cooperation between PH and other parties are more important for the political future of our state,” he said.
Despite stepping away from the electoral contest, Abdul Halim pledged his continued commitment to serving the Silam community and the broader Lahad Datu district.
“I remain committed and will continue to work to ensure the welfare and interests of the people in Silam in particular, and Lahad Datu in general, are always protected and upheld,” he said.
“The struggle for the people never ends, and I will continue to contribute in any capacity possible to develop this area and ensure that the people’s voices continue to be heard.”
With Abdul Halim’s withdrawal, the Silam constituency will now see eight candidates competing for 28,261 votes.
The seat is currently held by Dumi Pg. Masdal from Parti Warisan, who will be defending his position against seven other contenders in what promises to be a closely watched contest.
The withdrawal reflects ongoing political negotiations and alliance-building efforts ahead of Sabah’s state election, where coalition unity has emerged as a critical factor in electoral strategy.
