KOTA KINABALU: Two major partners of the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) are eyeing more non-Muslim native seats in the next state election.
Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Sabah STAR want to contest a bigger slice of the 23 state seats where the Kadazandusun, Murut and Rungus communities make up the biggest group of voters.
Both parties, which signed a pact in April last year, currently hold a total of 13 such constituencies in the 73-seat assembly.
“What we want to see is an increase in seats allocated to PBS and Sabah STAR,” said PBS information chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai.
Besides PBS and Sabah STAR, which control seven and six seats, respectively, their allies in GRS hold nine non-Muslim native majority seats. They are Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah – four, Parti KDM – two, and one each for PKR, DAP and Upko.
Opposition Parti Warisan Sabah controls only one such seat.
“When the number of our seats increases, we gain strength, and this is our opportunity to further support the leadership.
“We must remain united to maintain our current seats and secure more seats in the upcoming state election,” Bangkuai said during Himpunan Solidariti Sabah STAR at Kiulu in Tuaran, about 60km from the state capital.
The event was officiated by STAR president and GRS deputy chairman Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who is Deputy Chief Minister I.
Bangkuai, who is also Kiulu assemblyman, said PBS-Sabah STAR unity would ensure non-Muslim natives would continue to be influential in the state government.
“Without solidarity, our aspirations will remain just a dream. The collaboration between PBS and STAR is an opportunity for us to work together and strengthen GRS in the next state election,” he said.
The memorandum of understanding signed between the two parties on April 18, 2024 had received strong backing from the people, he added.
