Sabah PKR chairman Mustapha Sakmud stated that the seats were secured through seat-sharing negotiations with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) within the framework of the Unity Government.
“So for Sandakan, Alhamdulillah, for now we have two seats — Gum-Gum and also Karamunting,” he said during the Jelajah Harapan event in Sandakan on Saturday night (Oct 31).
“So I hope everyone agrees and unites for Pakatan. We don’t want many. These two are enough for us. One to represent the Bumiputera Muslim community and the other to represent the Chinese community.”
He noted that PKR had previously contested the two seats but under a different political landscape, as the party was then in the opposition and many voters were “unsure about our candidates”.
“This time it is different,” he said, adding that PKR was now “the backbone of the Madani government at the federal level”.
Mustapha said the party intends to field candidates who can represent Sandakan at both the state and national levels.
“We want to present candidates who will become the voice of the Prime Minister here, so that the people here can raise their voices not only in the state assembly, but we can bring it to the national level,” he said.
Mustapha mentioned that another constituency was still being finalised between Pakatan and GRS, and the complete candidate list for PKR is expected to be announced next week, with plans to reveal the names on Nov 9 or 10.
Sandakan, located on Sabah’s east coast, comprises three parliamentary constituencies and seven state seats. In the last state election, Warisan’s Arunarnsin Taib won Gum-Gum, while Warisan’s Datuk George Hiew Vun Zin, who is now with Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah, won Karamunting.
PKR’s confirmation of its candidacy in Karamunting means that the incumbent, Hiew, may not be able to defend his seat under the Unity Government seat-sharing arrangement.
