Pitas assemblyman Datuk Seri Ruddy Awah is confident that Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) could secure five state seats in Sabah’s poverty-stricken northern belt in the upcoming state election. 

He attributed his views to the coalition’s ongoing development initiatives, reported The Star. 

“I believe we can win all five of the seven seats as the GRS government under Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has been addressing the needs of the people,” said the state Assistant Minister for Rural Development 

Ruddy identified the targeted state seats under the parliamentary constituencies of Kota Marudu and Kudat, including Banggi, Pitas, Tanjung Kapor, Bandau, Matunggong, and Tandek.

Parti Warisan won the Banggi and Tanjung Kapor in the 2020 state election but the elected representatives defected to GRS. 

Meanwhile, Bengkoka and Bandau are held by Sabah Barisan Nasional and Parti KDM, respectively.

Ruddy, who leads Gagasan Rakyat’s Pitas division, rejected claims that GRS failed to develop the northern state seats, describing them as political rhetoric meant to mislead voters.

“If they say that GRS failed, they are just talking to mislead people to gain political points. 

“If they claim voters are returning to Warisan or Umno, then it is best for both parties to stay out of the elections,” he said during the launch of the Pitas 2024-2035 Development Plan on Monday (yesterday).

Ruddy, who won the Pitas seat as an independent, expressed his intention to defend it under GRS in the upcoming state election, though he acknowledged that his candidacy would be determined by GRS leadership.

When asked if he would consider running as an independent again if not selected by GRS, Ruddy said he would “need to rethink the possibility” given his understanding of his constituency’s needs. – February 25, 2025