KOTA KINABALU – With a new chief in place, Sabah PKR leaders will go on a statewide tour ahead of the general election, which the chapter expects to be called in November.
Sabah PKR secretary Simsuddin Sidek said its top leaders will convene in Labuan on September 3 for its first meeting after the appointment of new chief Datuk Sangkar Rasam.
“We are restrengthening the party following the leadership change after the party polls. We are aiming to get everything ready (for the election) by November.
“We are looking at the possibilities that the general election will be held by then.
“If the election is not called by then, at least we are already prepared for the polls,” he told The Vibes today.
Simsuddin, who is Labuan PKR chief, said talks with other Pakatan Harapan component parties have been held several times.
He added that the seat distribution in Sabah is not finalised, but the deadline to do so will be by November.
But seats won by the respective party in the 2018 general election are non-negotiable, he said, which means Sabah PKR will defend Putatan, Tawau and Ranau.
Ranau is now held by Bersatu after its MP Datuk Jonathan Yasin quit PKR during the Sheraton Move in 2020.
Putatan is with Awang Husaini Sahari and Tawau is held by Sabah PH chairman Datuk Christina Liew.
“PKR, being the lead party in PH, will likely be contesting more seats in the coming election.
“Having said this, it is also likely that the new Sabah PKR chairman (Sangkar), who is also the Keningau PKR chief, will be contesting Keningau.”
Sabah has a total of 25 seats and PKR contested six seats in the 2018 general election.
Simsuddin said what seats the party will contest in the general election will depend on its strength and presence.
As for Muda, he added that the youth party is not formally with PH, but he acknowledged its presence in Sabah. – The Vibes, August 24, 2022
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