KOTA KINABALU, Nov. 30 -- Former Parliament Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin who offered to bet with anyone that he will win the Pintasan seat lost it even without any bets being placed.

His main challenger Datuk Fairuz Renddan scored one of the biggest surprises by winning as an Independent, securing 4,675 votes and a 1,070-vote majority in an 11-cornered race.

Pandikar of GRS obtained 3,605 votes.

Describing the outcome as "a truly meaningful victory," Fairuz said the result signals a growing shift in Sabah's political landscape - one driven strongly by young voters.

"Today we proved that the voice of the people, especially the youth of Sabah, is real," he said.

"When we work sincerely on the ground and uplift young people, this is th...