Politics — War-and-conflicts

Malaysia’s Pintasan election turns into an 11-way showdown after shock candidate swap

Sabah’s Chief Minister gambles on a veteran negotiator over a beloved local leader. Now, voters must choose between loyalty and federal clout in a historic 11-way race.

, and Administrator

2025 November 19 . 1:23 PM

1 min read

In this picture we can see some people are sitting on chairs and four persons are standing, on the... — In this picture we can see some people are sitting on chairs and four persons are standing, on the left side there are flags, a podium and a microphone, we can see speakers in the background, on the left side we can see a screen.

Malaysia’s Pintasan election turns into an 11-way showdown after shock candidate swap

The upcoming Malaysian state elections on 29 November 2025 will see a heated contest in the Pintasan constituency. An 11-way battle is expected, with Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia entering the race at the request of Sabah’s Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. The move has sparked debate, particularly as it replaces the current incumbent, Datuk Fairuz Renddan, who will now run as an independent candidate.

Pandikar’s candidacy was proposed by Hajiji Noor, who highlighted his experience in negotiating with Putrajaya on key issues like the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63). The decision, however, has drawn criticism, as Fairuz Renddan—a first-term representative popular with voters—was sidelined. Renddan has since left Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) to defend his seat independently.

The Pintasan race now features a crowded field, with Pandikar’s entry reshaping the political landscape. Fairuz Renddan’s independent bid adds further competition, while GRS backs Pandikar as its candidate. The election will test voter priorities—whether experience in federal negotiations outweighs local incumbent support.