SANDAKAN: Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is confident of regaining voter support and plans to contest the Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu seats in the next general election.
Its president Datuk Chin Su Phin said although Parti Warisan won most Chinese-majority seats in Sabah, the outcome shows Sabahans incline towards local-based parties.
"For the general election, as I said previously, we hope to contest the Sandakan and Kota Kinabalu seats," he said.
"Especially Sandakan P186, which used to belong to LDP. I believe we can win as a local-based party," he added.
Chin was met at the party annual open house here on Sunday (Mar 1).
He added that while Peninsular Malaysia-based parties were expected to continue contesting in Sabah, LDP remained confident of its chances.
He said the party is not opposing the Federal Government but wanted Sabah to achieve stronger autonomy similar to neighbouring Sarawak.
When asked about the presence of leaders from other parties in Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, Chin said LDP maintains a good working relationship until the election.
"Yes, we are still working together," he said.
"Even if they are not local-based parties, their leaders are Sabahans, so I think we must work together."
"But when it comes to elections, if they still insist on contesting under Peninsular-based parties, that is up to them," he added.
He said the party may consider such scenarios a friendly contest.
"However, whoever wins in Peninsular Malaysia, we will support the Federal Government and work together with it," he said.
"But we want East Malaysia to have stronger autonomy," he added.
Among non-GRS leaders present were Sandakan MP Vivian Wong of DAP and Datuk George Hiew Vun Zin of Parti Keadilan Rakyat.
Datuk Frankie Poon Ming Fung of Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat was also seated at the main table alongside Chin.
Both P186 Sandakan and P172 Kota Kinabalu are currently held by DAP.
