KOTA KINABALU, Nov. 18 -- Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia has defended his controversial candidacy in the Pintasan seat, saying he was personally asked to contest by Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, who felt his experience is needed to deal with Putrajaya on critical state rights issues.

In a Facebook post todfay, the former Dewan Rakyat Speaker explained that his nomination was not about "stealing" the seat from the incumbent, but about fulfilling a strategic role for Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).

"He (Hajiji) wanted me and Tan Sri Anifah Aman to contest because our experience is needed to engage with Putrajaya -particularly on the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63)," Pandikar wrote.

Pandikar's selection ignited immediately contro...