KOTA KINABALU, Nov 7 — Bersatu vice-president Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee insists he is the right candidate to represent the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah-Barisan Nasional (GRS-BN) government in the parliamentary seat this general election, even though he is running against the alliance’s choice.

Kiandee, the incumbent, said his move to contest against the Umno-led BN pick Benedict Asmat was a "friendly fight” and that all parties should be mature enough to accept it.

"Such friendly clashes occurred before in the 2020 state elections,” he said in a statement today.

He said he is not trying to jeopardise the GRS-BN alliance, and pointed to another "clash” for the Ranau parliamentary seat, which pits Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) candidate Datuk Ewon Ebin against the Bersatu candidate Datuk Jonathan Yassin.

"The voters will make their choice based on the service record and capabilities of the candidates,” Kiandee said.

The five-term MP said he is contesting on a Perikatan Nasional (PN) ticket.

He pointed out that PN is a component of the ruling GRS, so there is no question of him being an "Opposition” candidate.

"I am a member of Bersatu, and Bersatu is a component of GRS, and also an important component of the PN coalition at the national level,” he stressed.

He pointed out that it was not the first time the PN logo has been used in Sabah. In the 2020 state election, several members of the current Sabah Cabinet had contested under the PN banner.

"Any seat being contested by GRS now are seats that are to strengthen PN at the national level,” Kiandee said.

He believes PN is the right platform to continue the fight for continuous development in Beluran because of its performance record and capable leaders.

"What’s important is that the agenda to address the lack of infrastructure and lift the people from poverty continues outside Beluran town,” he said.

He said that his candidacy is based on the GRS coalition’s vision and plans and not a political move to weaken its allies in Sabah.

Kiandee won Beluran in the 14th general election of 2018 on a BN ticket when he was an Umno member.

But he was part of a mass exodus of Sabah leaders who quit Umno for Bersatu after GE14.

During negotiations for GE15, both Bersatu and Umno fought for the Beluran seat. In the end, Umno won.

Sabah Bersatu and Sabah Umno have yet to officially comment on Kiandee’s candidacy for Beluran in GE15.