KOTA KINABALU: The Putatan parliamentary constituency should rightfully be represented by Barisan Nasional in the upcoming general election, according to Putatan Umno division chief Jeffery Nor Mohamed.
He said this was because the Putatan parliamentary seat was currently still held by a Barisan incumbent.
"The basis for discussions (on seat allocation) must respect the incumbent party, which is Barisan.
"Certainly, this is fundamental to the harmony of the Sabah unity government when we acknowledge this fact," he said.
Jeffery was responding to a statement from Putatan Upko division chief Datuk Markus Mojigoh, who previously suggested that Upko contest the Putatan parliamentary seat in the upcoming elections.
According to Jeffery, the voter data projections in the area also indicate that the majority of voters, or 89%, are Bumiputra Muslims.
He said that such statements should be set aside for now as the country is facing an economic crisis due to uncertainties in the Middle East.
"Therefore, the focus should be on how we can collectively assist our people, especially in Putatan, to cope with this situation," he said in a statement Tuesday (March 31).
Jeffery said Upko, as part of the state coalition government, must respect this situation and refrain from making any statements that could offend any parties within the Sabah unity government.
Putatan is held by Barisan’s Datuk Shahelmey Yahya.
