Sabah polls about respect, not autonomy, says Sabah DAP
KOTA KINABALU: The decision on Sabah's electoral collaboration and seat allocation is more about mutual respect and exclusivity than outright autonomy, says Sabah DAP deputy chairman Datuk Chan Foong Hin.
"It's about mutual respect. Any decision made must take into account that it's not just about Sabah alone, as it also affects the federal landscape," said Chan, who is also Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister, after launching the Malaysian International Cocoa Fair at the Sabah International Convention Centre.
The Kota Kinabalu member of parliament was responding to claims that Sabah DAP lacks autonomy in determining its political alliances, following the recent announcement of cooperation between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) under the Unity Government Secretariat.
"Prior to the announcement, there was no official decision. Even now, the arrangement is not final – the door remains open for other like-minded parties to join the BN-PH Plus collaboration.
"As for reports suggesting Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) plans to contest all, or between 51 and 52 seats – that is quite normal at this stage.
"But since these three coalitions – BN, PH, and GRS – each intends to work together, any final seat arrangement will need to return to a coalition-wide consensus, which is inherently complex."
Commenting on PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar's remark that her party aims to contest at least 13 seats in Sabah, Chan said that fell under the broader PH framework.
As for Sabah DAP, he said that the party was eyeing 10 constituencies, including its incumbent seats in Luyang, Likas, Kapayan, Tanjong Papat, Sri Tanjong, and Elopura.
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