KDM aims to be major contender for native-based seats

Acting KDM president Priscella Peter (center) with all candidate during the Kadazan Dusun Murut (KDM) candidate announcement ceremony. — ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE/The Star

KOTA KINABALU: Parti Kesejah­teraan Demokratik Masyarakat’s (KDM) move to contest 40 seats in the Sabah election is seen as a strategy to position itself as a major contender for native-based seats.

The party will be contesting in all Kadazandusun Murut and Rungus seats, as well as in some urban areas that are set to rival established native-based parties like Parti Bersatu Sabah, Sabah STAR and Upko.

Some political observers believe that KDM may have an edge in urban areas as its closest contender, PBS, is not contesting in mixed seats, despite being a multi-racial party.

Acting party president Priscella Peter will be defending her jailed father Datuk Peter Anthony’s seat in the interior Melalap.

Her deputy Datuk Wetrom Bahanda will move from Bandau to contest in Matunggong as the party eyes to unseat PBS secretary-­general Datuk Julita Majungki.

Datuk Chew Kok Woh, who quit PKR after he was not fielded, was named the KDM candidate for Karumunting.

After announcing 39 out of the party’s 40 candidates, Priscella hopes to defend Melalap with her own credibility.

She said although it cannot be denied that most of her supporters are her father’s, she too has gathered quite a following, using her image as a young and new face in politics.

With guidance and support from party leaders including Wetrom, Priscella is hopeful that her hard work building her grassroots will help her defend the Melalap seat.

She called on voters and supporters to put aside their differences and focus on the bigger picture of winning the state election and hopefully, be part of the new state government.

Meanwhile, Wetrom said although there are many other local Sabah parties entering the fray, KDM is the only party that has never partnered with others.

This itself gives it the advantage of being the truly local party, he pointed out.

On his move from Bandau to Matunggong, Wetrom said it is not to give way to his sister Redonah, but because he started his politics from Matunggong.

Redonah is Gabungan Rakyat Sabah candidate for Bandau.

The other seats KDM is contesting are Bengkoka, Putas, Tandek, Pintasan, Tempasuk, Kadamaian, Pantai Dalit, Tamparuli, Darau, Inanam, Petagas, Tanjung Kera­mat, Kapayan, Moyog, Limbahau, Pantai Manis, Bongawan, Klias and Lumadan.

They are also going for Sindumin, Kundasang. Karanaan, Paginatan, Tambunan, Bingkor, Liawan, Tulid, Nabawan, Telupid, Labuk, Kuamut, Sri Tanjong, Tanjong Papa, Elopura, Kiulu and Kemabong.