Riduan Bin Rubin

Political Career:

• Made his electoral debut in the 2022 general election, contesting as an independent candidate for Tenom. He joined KDM shortly afterward, within approximately three weeks, before the party aligned with WARISAN and BN Sabah
• Successfully claimed the Tenom seat by defeating incumbent Noorita Sual (DAP–PH) and other contenders

Family & Background:

• Son of Rubin Balang, long-serving Sabah politician who has held multiple state-level positions and is now Vice President II of Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (GAGASAN)

Legislative Engagement:

• As MP, active in parliamentary proceedings with motions and questions, though detailed records are limited (attendance around 81/90 sessions)

• Elected as Member of Parliament (MP) for Tenom (P181) in the 2022 general election, winning as an independent candidate with a majority of 1,108 votes

Political Party Affiliation

• Originally affiliated with Sabah BERSATU (Malaysian United Indigenous Party of Sabah) until 2022.
• Contested in the 2022 election as an independent (Oct–Nov 2022).
• Joined the Social Democratic Harmony Party (KDM) in 2022, now a KDM MP.
• Was associated with broader coalitions: formerly part of Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) via BERSATU

Conflict with GRS–BN Electoral Pact (GE15, 2022)

• Riduan initially ran as an independent candidate for the Tenom parliamentary seat during GE15, despite being the youth chief of Bersatu Tenom—a move seen as violating the GRS–BN seat-sharing agreement. His candidacy reportedly undermined the pact, prompting public criticism and calls for disciplinary action against his father, Rubin Balang.
  The StarMalay Mail

• GRS chairman (and Sabah Chief Minister) Hajiji Noor stated that action would only be taken if there was clear evidence that Riduan’s father actively supported his campaign.
  Borneo Post OnlineThe StarBERNAMASabah Post

• Riduan later joined PKDM (Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat), a GRS-friendly party, although he still campaigned without its logo.
  Malay Mail

Legacy of Political Strategy and Perception

• The situation drew criticism from BN leaders. Bung Moktar Radin described the move as a “friendly betrayal” and urged swift disciplinary measures.
  Malay MailSabah PostDaily Express

Highlighting Disparities in eKasih — Poverty Data Inclusion

As MP for Tenom, Riduan drew attention to the struggles of Sabah’s poorest residents, many of whom were not listed in the national poverty database (eKasih). He urged reforms to ensure those genuinely needy were accurately identified and assisted—thereby facilitating access to welfare programs like PPRT (People’s Housing Program) and healthcare aid.Borneo NewsDaily Express

Support for Kidney Patients in Remote Areas

Riduan advocated for more dialysis facilities closer to rural communities. He lobbied for exemptions on treatment fees and additional dialysis machines in clinics at Kuala Tomani and Kemabong, citing the heavy financial and travel burdens borne by rural kidney patients.Daily Express

Infrastructure & Long-Term Planning for Sabah Inland

In October 2024, Riduan called for inclusion of inland districts—such as Tenom, Keningau, Kemabong, Tambunan, and others—in the Pan-Borneo Highway project. He emphasized the need for equitable infrastructure development, enhanced digital connectivity, and education upgrades, including concrete school buildings, a sixth-form college in Tenom, and replacing outdated wooden structures.
Warta Oriental

Local Economic and Community Development Focus

During his 2022 electoral campaign, Riduan outlined six key priorities: improving education, welfare, youth support, infrastructure (especially roads and water supply), community facilities, and cultural development. He also proposed enhancements to recreational, spiritual, and sports amenities, including an e-sports academy and youth information centers.Borneo News

Parliamentary Tenure

Riduan Rubin has served as the Member of Parliament for Tenom since November 19, 2022. Initially contesting as an independent, he later joined KDM and successfully defeated multiple opponents by a 1,108-vote majority.