KOTA KINABALU: Two native-based coalition partners of the ruling Gabungan Rakyat Sabah are standing firm that the local coalition must contest 55 of the 73 seats in the coming state election.
In a joint statement, Parti Bersatu Sabah and Sabah STAR reaffirmed their commitment to the Gabungan supreme council decision that the local coalition contest 55 seats.
The two parties said this must be honoured and that the coalition, which currently holds 41 seats, must focus on maintaining and expanding its strength, as any reduction would risk undermining grassroots confidence in the local coalition.
The statement comes amid talks between Gabungan led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor to forge an electoral pact with Pakatan Harapan, with discussions centred on seat sharing with the national coalition.
Parti Bersatu Sabah led by acting president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam and Sabah STAR president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, along with their party leaders, reaffirmed their collective commitment to working closely with Gabungan for the coming state election.
They also stressed the importance of a fair and respectful approach to seat sharing within Gabungan.
Parti Bersatu Sabah and STAR suggested all Gabungan component parties’ candidates contest under the Gabungan logo, as going into the election as one team only makes sense.
Both parties believe that by respecting each other’s roles, upholding shared principles and prioritising the voices of Sabahans, Gabungan can move forward stronger, more united and better positioned to serve the people of Sabah.
Parti Bersatu Sabah and STAR said they remain focused on strengthening Gabungan, maintaining political stability, and ensuring continued progress and development for the people of Sabah.
The two parties also reiterated their stand of not working with Barisan in any form of political collaboration for the upcoming election.
They said they understood the formal political arrangement between Pakatan and Barisan in facing the upcoming state election, but stressed that Gabungan has never been part of such a formal collaboration.
Both parties believe that political decisions concerning Sabah must reflect the people's mandate and aspirations without external influence, the statement said.
The statement also said that the meeting took note of Umno's repeated hostile statements against the Gabungan-led state government and its constant belittling of the local coalition.
This consistent stand of both parties’ commitment was to safeguarding the identity and integrity of Parti Bersatu Sabah, STAR and Gabungan as a coalition led by Sabah-based parties, the statement said.
Both parties said political decisions concerning Sabah must reflect the people's mandate and aspirations without external influence.
The trust Sabahans have placed in Gabungan is built on its independence, and maintaining that trust requires clear boundaries from political arrangements made outside the state.
