KOTA KINABALU: As Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) positions itself to shoulder Gabungan Rakyat Sabah’s (GRS) charge into non-Muslim native seats, it is hoping to get extra seats other than its incumbent seven.
PBS acting president Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam said his party is still in discussion for the additional seats it wants to contest.
“All seven PBS incumbents will be contesting plus a few more, but the details are being discussed,” said Dr Gunsalam, who is Kundasang assemblyman.
“We are now more organised, more structured and have more members,” he said when asked if PBS is in a position to fill the vacuum left by Sabah STAR.
The bigger role for PBS in this state election came about following the departure of Sabah STAR, led by Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan from the coalition on Oct 1.
Apart from Dr Gunsalam, the other PBS incumbents are deputy president Datuk Seri Jahid Jahim (Tamparuli), secretary-general Datuk Julita Majungki (Matunggong), information chief Datuk Joniston Bangkuai (Kiulu), Datuk Johnnybone Kurum (Telupid), Datuk Ruslan Muharan (Lumadan) and Datuk Hendrus Anding (Tandek).
After the 2020 state election, PBS and Sabah STAR had worked together under GRS to strengthen the coalition’s bid to win more Kadazandusun, Murut and Rungus seats that make up 25 of the 73 state assembly seats.
With Sabah STAR’s exit, the onus is now on PBS to capture the non-Muslim native seats.
Sabah STAR had pulled out as it was against GRS’ decision to work with Pakatan Harapan. Five of its incumbent assemblymen remained with GRS and are expected to contest as GRS-direct candidates in the election.
The political battle for the non-Muslim native seats is expected to intensify with at least four competing opposition parties – Sabah STAR, Parti KDM, Warisan and Parti Anak Negeri as well as independents styling themselves as the Black Wave – expected to be in the fray.
Pakatan’s Upko has also pushed to field candidates in at least nine of such seats, including three held by PBS – Tamparuli, Kiulu and Telupid, and is also said to be eyeing Moyog, held by Warisan’s deputy president Datuk Darell Leiking.
In the last election, Upko only won in Kadamaian under its president Datuk Ewon Benedick.
Sources said under the GRS-Pakatan pact, Upko was offered two or three seats including Kadamaian and Moyog but the party, through its grassroots, is pushing to contest more seats and under its own logo.
Universiti Malaysia Sabah political analyst Prof Dr G. Anantha Raman expects a crowded field in the Kadazandusun, Murut and Rungus seats.
“It will be challenging as votes are likely to be divided among PBS, STAR, Upko and even DAP or Warisan,” he said.
However, he said if PBS succeeds in securing a significant number of native seats, the party could emerge as a key power broker in the formation of the next state government.
