Bugaya By-election: Independent uses 'lepa' symbol to stand out

SEMPORNA, Nov 5 (Bernama) -- Contesting as the only independent candidate in the Bugaya by-election (PRK), political activist and YouTuber Jufazli Shi Ahmad, 33, describes using the boat or 'lepa' symbol as a way of standing out as a local candidate.

The Bajau native from Kampung Bugaya, Semporna said the 'lepa' is very synonymous with him and to vital when competing in this Bajau-majority area.

"I think there is an advantage in reaching out to win votes with the advantage of my Bajau identity. I have more strength in Bugaya constituency because my extended family is very large in this area.

"So the Bugaya campaign machinery is relatively easy for me to access and I can win this Bugaya state by-election," he said when met at the candidate nomination centre at Semporna Community Hall, here today.

Lepa is a carved boat that is widely used by the Bajau community in their daily lives, mainly as a means of transportation, communication and shelter.

As a candidate, Jufazli is committed to raising the issue of water supply and roads, which he claimed could not be resolved by previous elected representatives.

"This issue is very close to the hearts of Bugaya voters, and Semporna in general, this is my justification for contesting the seat here," he stressed.

Jufazli, who ran as an independent candidate in the Tanjung Papat, Sandakan state seat in the 14th general election, said the water issue is not a small matter but can be considered a crisis for the present and future generations.

Apart from Jufazli, Abd Aziz Mohd Ibno (BN-UMNO), Arastam Pandorog (PH-PKR), Mohd Hassan Abu Bakar (GTA-Pejuang), Nazmawati Walli from Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) and Karil Pg Kuraini from the Parti Perpaduan Rakyat Sabah (PPRS) are also contesting in the Bugaya by-election on Nov 19.

The Election Commission (EC) has set the Bugaya by-election for Jan 21 2021, but it was postponed following the COVID-19 pandemic on Dec 12, 2020, and then later cancelled on Oct 6.

The cancellation paved the way for the EC to set the Bugaya by-election, which has 32,761 registered voters, to be held simultaneously with the 15th general election on Nov 19.

-- BERNAMA