JANNIE and Jenifer Lasimbang have had enough of seeing the native tribes of Sabah robbed of their lands and livelihood and have given up their careers as civil society activists for political office.

Both will run as first-time candidates in GE14 on a platform of change to unfair polices that have put natives at a disadvantage.

Jannie, 54, who was former Sabah Bersih 2.0 chairman, is contesting the Kapayan seat on a DAP ticket while Jenifer, 44, is a PKR member who will contest the Moyog seat under Parti Warisan Sabah.

The sisters are well known in Sabah for the causes they have championed – empowerment of single mothers and native customary rights through movements like Pacos Trust, Jaringan Orang Asal Se-Malaysia and other global movements sanctioned by the United Nations.

“The truth is Jenifer was the one who introduced me to politics and I introduced her to the NGO world,” said Jannie.

Jannie will replace Dr Edwin Bosi who won Kepayan in GE13 on a DAP ticket and who has since quit the party to join Parti Anak Negeri.

Both sisters will face multi-cornered fights.

The sisters organised a Labour Day programme in Kg Kivatu in Penampang, today, attended by about 60 people, including another outspoken Sabahan, former state secretary and National Human Rights commissioner Simon Sipaun.

They will also be campaigning for Penampang incumbent Darell Leiking, who is defending the federal seat. Leiking is deputy president of Warisan led by Semporna MP Shafie Apdal.– May 1, 2018.