‘Sinar Baru’: Amanah’s solo Sabah candidate eyes first-ever win in state polls

SHAH ALAM, Nov 8 — Parti Amanah Negara’s sole candidate for the upcoming Sabah state election, Mohd Julpikar Ab Mijan, today expressed hope to secure the party’s first electoral victory in the state.

Julpikar, who will contest the Sulabayan state seat in Semporna, Sabah, also rallied Amanah delegates to support his campaign.

At Amanah’s National Convention 2025 here, he shouted “Sulabayan”, prompting delegates to respond with “Sinar Baru”. He led the chant several times.

“Sinar Baru” symbolises new hope, with Julpikar also using the hashtag #sinarbaru4sulabayan on his Facebook page.

Julpikar, also known as Mohd Zulfikar, is the Amanah Semporna division head. He was the 17th and final delegate to speak at the convention, where he thanked party leaders for their support and urged them to campaign in Sabah.

“I represent our friends in Sabah to invite everyone — all the leaders, all the delegates, all the YBs, all the ministers, deputy ministers, all agencies — to come down to Sabah, especially to the Sulabayan state constituency. God willing, Amanah will win Sulabayan,” he said.

“God willing, if we work together, I hope all the leaders, everyone in this hall, will come to Sabah and give full commitment to help Amanah capture its first-ever seat in Sabah,” he added.

Julpikar said Amanah had been preparing for the Sabah election for almost three years, working extensively throughout Sulabayan.

He also acknowledged the challenge of contesting the seat, noting that Sabah’s political culture is deeply centred on local identity. He pointed out that some parties in the state have promoted a stance against Peninsular-based parties.

“This is a challenge that we have to face,” he said.

Campaigning for the Sabah state election will run from November 15 to November 28, with voting on November 29.