PAPAR, SABAH, MALAYSIA November 22, 2025 – The Member of Parliament for Papar, who is also the Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living, Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali, described the warm reception from local residents towards Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) as a clear sign of strong support ahead of the 17th Sabah State Election (PRU DU Sabah) on 29 November.
After landing in Kota Kinabalu from abroad, Armizan immediately rushed back to the Papar area to attend the “Program Santai bersama PAPARian Mukim Bandar Papar”, jointly organised by GRS PDM Pekan last Saturday (22 November).
“The warm welcome and support from the PAPARian community here truly boost our spirits and clearly demonstrate solid backing for GRS,” Armizan said in a statement posted on his social media.
During the programme, Armizan also gave space to the GRS candidate for the DUN Pantai Manis seat, Datuk Pengiran Saifuddin Pengiran Tahir, to interact directly with residents, listen to their views, and connect with those present.
Armizan expressed full confidence in Pengiran Saifuddin as the most suitable candidate for Pantai Manis, citing his professional background, extensive experience in leadership and community work, as well as his approachable personality.
“With his professional background, vast experience in leadership and community affairs, and his personality, I am convinced he is the right candidate to lead DUN Pantai Manis and deliver the progress we all aspire to,” he emphasised.
He added that, if given the mandate by the people of Papar in the upcoming state election, GRS is ready to form a strong partnership to find the best solutions for the advancement of the PAPARian community.
“Insha Allah, if the PAPARian people grant us the mandate, we are prepared to work together as a team to seek the best possible efforts for the progress of PAPARian,” Armizan said.
The Pantai Manis state seat is seeing a seven-cornered fight, with Pengiran Saifuddin representing GRS, facing candidates from BN, Warisan, PN, STAR Sabah, KDM, and PIS, among others. In the 2020 state election, the seat was won by a BN candidate with a slim majority of 686 votes.
GRS campaigning in Papar is gaining momentum, with door-to-door approaches and relaxed community programmes like this seen as effective in bringing candidates closer to voters ahead of polling day on 29 November.