Ongkili now has former nemesis Maijol Mahap in his corner

KOTA KINABALU: They used to be the fiercest of rivals, but now Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili is able to sit with his former nemesis Datuk Maijol Mahap to have breakfast.

In the past, Maijol was the Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president’s biggest rival and had thrice vied for the Kota Marudu parliamentary seat against Ongkili.

Maijol came a close second in the GE14, losing by 1,774 votes to Ongkili.

Ongkili is now contesting as a Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) candidate for GE15, where he will face off against five other candidates for the Kota Marudu seat.

Maijol, who is Kota Marudu Bersatu information chief, had a breakfast meeting with Ongkili at Kampung Damai, Kota Marudu on Tuesday (Nov 8) together with Datuk Anita Baranting from Sabah Star, as they discussed strategies to help GRS secure victory in the election.

Anita who was former PBS Women chief, also shared that her departure from PBS before this was not due to ill feelings towards the party or Ongkili, but the pressure of being the opposition at that time back in 2020.

“What is important now is to ensure victory for our candidate (Ongkili) so he can continue to bring development to Kota Marudu,” she said.

In GE15, Ongkili will contest against Datuk Wetrom Bahanda of KDM, Sharizal Denci (Muda), Datuk Jilid Kuminding (Warisan), Mohd Azmie Zulkiflee (Pejuang) and Independent candidate Norman Tulang.