KOTA KINABALU: Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) party president Datuk Peter Anthony (pic) believed that Peninsular-based national political parties, especially Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and Barisan Nasional (BN), have the same chances as Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) during the next state elections.
Peter said in a statement that the “local party” sentiment pushed by the GRS pact is just to mislead the people, as the political front is also allied with national parties like Perikatan Nasional (PN) and PAS.
Unlike in Sarawak, Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) consisted of local parties, which was why they dominated the support in that state, he reasoned.
“The situation in Sabah differs from Sarawak; GPS dominated as the coalition members are local parties.
“In Sabah, GRS is not a coalition of Sabah-based parties ... So it would not be easy for them to dominate the 17th state elections as other parties have their own strengths,” he said after a Chinese New Year celebration in Tenom on Tuesday (Feb 13).
Peter, who is also Melalap assemblyman, added that KDM has not yet decided whether they will contest in all areas in the coming state elections.
“However, the party has identified potential seats to be won, including the Limbahau state constituency, which is held by former KDM deputy president Datuk Juil Nuatim.
“Our party machinery is in preparation before the 17th state election, which is expected in October this year or, at the latest, April next year,” he added.
Last year, Juli announced that he was leaving KDM to join GRS.
When asked about potential cooperation with other parties, he said they are open to working with any parties that can bring development to the people of Sabah.
On the general front, he urged the people to continue supporting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
