KOTA KINABALU – Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) is ready to take on the Tuaran parliamentary seat for Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) in the coming general election, said its president Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili.
He said that while Tamparuli and its neighbouring Kiulu have been PBS’ stronghold, he is confident that the party will be able to capture Tuaran from the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko), especially with the support from the Sulaman and Pantai Dalit state seats voters.
“We expect the general election will be held latest by next year, and Tuaran is among the constituencies that we have a thirst for.
“The PBS machinery is ready and further strengthened by the increased membership and branches.
“Our party will grow further, and our two assemblymen in Kiulu and Tamparuli are serving the grassroots well.
“The grassroots are clear on the party's struggle, hence their continuous support for PBS,” said Ongkili when launching the PBS N14 Tamparuli 36th and 37th Annual General Meeting today.
Ongkili, who is also Kota Marudu MP and the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah and Sarawak Affairs), stressed that GRS – which was officially registered on March 18 – will continue to fight for the rights and demands of the people of Sabah.
Tuaran, which is about 34km from Kota Kinabalu, is currently represented by Upko’s president Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau after he won the seat on Upko’s ticket in 2018.
The federal seat was held by PBS for two terms, from 1990 to 1999.
However, Tuaran’s voters continued to favour Barisan Nasional (BN), as Upko continued to hold the seat to date.
Upko was under BN during the 14th general election in 2018, but soon after the polls, it decided to leave BN and join Warisan.
Upko is now one of the official members of Pakatan Harapan.
Four state seats under the Tuaran federal seat are Sulaman, Pantai Dalit, Tamparuli and Kiulu, which were all won by GRS during the Sabah election in 2020. –The Vibes, March 20, 2022
