Flying solo: Gagasan to contest 39 seats in Sabah polls without alliances

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah has set their eyes on 39 seats for the coming state elections and is prepared to contest without any alliances.

The little-known Sabah-based party – formed in 2013 and led by Dr Ationg Tituh – initially planned to unite with three other local parties earlier this year but withdrew from the merger.

Its deputy president Datuk Hiew King Cheu said Dr Ationg would be contesting the Kuamut seat on the east coast while Hiew himself would return to his former seat Luyang, currently held by incumbent Ginger Phoong Jin Zhe.

The party's advisor Francis Goh – who is former Sabah MCA deputy chairman – would be contesting in the suburban seat of Inanam.

“We are offering the people an alternative and hope they will give us the mandate.

“Our party is different because our focus is not to form the government or grab power – our candidates are genuine and are running on the basis to serve the people.

“Of course, if we have enough seats to run the government, even better, ” Hiew said on Friday (Sept 11).

He confirmed that the party would be facing the state polls on their own without any alliances or pacts with other parties.

Asked if they would consider cooperating with other political entities to form the state government if they win enough, Hiew said they would cross the bridge if they come to it.

“What is important is we become the ‘wakil rakyat’ (people’s representative), not for the YB title as we do not believe in seeking positions, ” he said.