Latest news with #17thSabahStateElection
Daily Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Express
PKR Sabah defends its plan to contest 13 seats
Published on: Thursday, May 29, 2025 Published on: Thu, May 29, 2025 Text Size: Mohd Guntur also pointed out that PKR is the only national party that has formally enshrined the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) in its party constitution, which underscores the party's commitment to Sabah's rights and autonomy. Kota Kinabalu: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Sabah defended its plan to contest 13 seats in the coming 17th Sabah State Election (PRN17), stressing the decision was based on cooperation with political partners and not dictated by the party's national leadership. The clarification comes in response to Star Sabah Information Chief Anuar Ghani, who labelled it as a move by 'political outsiders.' A member of the AMK Malaysia leadership council and Chief of the AMK Pensiangan Branch Mohd Guntur Sangkar, said the proposed list of seats was the result of ongoing discussions between PKR Sabah and its partners in Barisan Nasional (BN) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS). 'The list was shaped based on a spirit of mature political cooperation, without sidelining the role of local parties. PKR Sabah is not merely a branch that blindly follows central directives,' he said in a statement. He said that since its formation, PKR Sabah has developed through close collaboration between local activists and national leadership, and is deeply rooted in the State. Mohd Guntur also pointed out that PKR is the only national party that has formally enshrined the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) in its party constitution, which underscores the party's commitment to Sabah's rights and autonomy. Advertisement He urged Star to reflect on its own past alignments, particularly its previous cooperation with Perikatan Nasional (PN). 'This was a coalition that openly weakened Sabah's position in MA63 negotiations and failed to deliver on many development promises,' he said. He also said PKR Sabah has remained consistent in championing reform and justice for the people of Sabah, while Star's political stance shifted depending on convenience. 'What Sabah needs is stability and principle, not opportunism,' Mohd Guntur said. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Sabah DAP aims for over 10 seats
Chan KOTA KINABALU (May 26): Sabah DAP is targeting more than 10 seats in the 17th Sabah State Election (PRN17), said its deputy chairman, Datuk Chan Foong Hin. He said the decision was made during the party's recent state retreat but remains subject to negotiation with coalition partners under the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional (PH-BN) pact. Chan said the party aims to defend its four existing seats — Tanjong Papat, Kapayan, Likas, and Luyang — as well as reclaim Sri Tanjong and Elopura, where its former representatives defected to Warisan. Chan, who is also Deputy Plantation and Commodities Minister, emphasized that decisions on electoral collaboration and seat allocation should be based on mutual respect and shared responsibility, rather than absolute autonomy or unilateral actions. 'Any decision must consider not just Sabah's interests but also the broader federal implications,' he said. The Kota Kinabalu member of parliament was addressing claims that Sabah DAP lacks autonomy in 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, no official decision was made. Even now, the arrangement isn't final — the door remains open for other like-minded parties to join the BN-PH Plus collaboration,' he explained. Responding to PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar's statement about contesting at least 13 seats, Chan said the final allocation depends on internal Pakatan consensus. 'Once there is agreement within Pakatan, we can begin formal negotiations with other coalitions,' he said after launching the Malaysian International Cocoa Fair at the Sabah International Convention Centre today. In the 2020 state election, DAP contested under the Warisan logo, while PKR and Upko used their own symbols, collectively winning nine seats. Apart from DAP, the Pakatan coalition in Sabah includes PKR, United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko), and Parti Amanah Sabah. Chan noted the upcoming polls will be more complex, with three major blocs — PH-BN, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Warisan — vying for dominance. 'Discussions with other groups are ongoing, but formalising alliances takes time. For now, everything remains open,' he said. 'Nothing is set in stone. Each coalition must finalise its internal consensus first.' On Gabungan Rakyat Sabah's (GRS) reported plan to contest 51 to 52 seats, Chan noted that such early proposals are normal. However, he stressed that any final seat arrangement would require consensus among the three coalitions — BN, PH, and GRS — making negotiations complex.
Borneo Post
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Nurul Izzah's 13-seat demand disregards local autonomy - STAR Sabah
Anuar KOTA KINABALU (May 26): Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR Sabah) has expressed strong objections to recent remarks made by PKR Deputy President Nurul Izzah Anwar, who announced her party's intention to contest at least 13 seats in the upcoming 17th Sabah State Election (PRN17). STAR Sabah views this move as a direct challenge to the political autonomy of Sabah said its information chief, Anuar Ghani. He said the demand for 13 seats by a Peninsular-based party implies a continued perception of Sabah as a political colony, rather than an equal partner in the Malaysian Federation. This undermines the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), which affirms Sabah's right to determine its own political direction. According to Anuar, Sabah is not a testing ground for outside political machinery. The party further criticizes Nurul Izzah's statement regarding the deployment of campaign teams from Selangor, Johor and Penang to Sabah, calling it intrusive and disrespectful to local sentiments. 'Sabah is not a political laboratory for Peninsular parties,' said Anuar. 'Sending in outside machinery shows a lack of sensitivity and reinforces the perception that national parties continue to undermine local leadership.' STAR Sabah also questioned the basis for PKR's seats claim, noting that the party previously won only two out of the 10 seats it contested in the last Sabah State election. 'To now demand 13 seats despite such a record reflects not only overreach but a lack of understanding of Sabah's evolving political landscape,' Anuar added. Some Sabahans say, 'Big ambition, Tamaha juga!' The party stressed that PRN17 is a state election, not a general election, and that priority must be given to Sabah-based parties who have long worked at the grassroots level, understood local issues, and maintained consistent engagement with the people. STAR Sabah reaffirms the principle of Borneonisation – enshrined in the 1962 Inter-Governmental Committee (IGC) Report and the MA63 – as a guiding doctrine for Sabah's governance. 'The right to self-govern, especially in public administration, must logically extend to the political realm. Sabahans have the right to reject external political dominance and chart their own course' said Anuar. STAR Sabah challenged PKR to name the specific 13 seats they intend to contest. 'Are they targeting seats currently held by local parties? Sabahans deserve transparency. We must know whether these demands will come at the expense of local political strength' Anuar concluded. STAR Sabah urges all Sabahans to stand united and support local parties that are committed to protecting Sabah's rights, identity, and future within the Federation of Malaysia. The division and disunity at PKR national level politics is viewed with grave concern by the people of Sabah.
Daily Express
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Express
Joachim: GRS open to cooperation as long as majority stable
Published on: Monday, May 26, 2025 Published on: Mon, May 26, 2025 By: Noor Zafira Zayn Text Size: Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) is open to working with other parties as long as it maintains a stable majority, said Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) acting president Datuk Dr. Joachim Gunsalam. 'As long as GRS has a stable majority, we have no issue with collaborating with others as long as GRS leads the direction,' he told reporters today. Joachim, who is also GRS Deputy Chairman, said the coalition remains open to discussions but has yet to engage with any parties from Peninsular Malaysia. On the upcoming Sabah state election, he said GRS welcomes healthy competition but is focused on winning as a coalition. His remarks come after PKR's Nurul Izzah Anwar said her party aims to contest 13 seats in the 17th Sabah State Election while Bersatu's Datuk Seri Azmin Ali confirmed ongoing efforts to identify winnable seats and build alliances in the state. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
GRS aims for 52 seats, 21 for national allies
Masiung, flanked by party leaders, leads the crowd in chanting 'Hidup GRS!', echoing the unwavering spirit of the coalition's supporters in Kuamut. TONGOD (May 25): Kuamut assemblyman Datuk Masiung Banah known for his rallying slogan 'Tatap Kalaga', has proposed that Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) contest at least 52 seats in the upcoming 17th Sabah State Election. Speaking before an enthusiastic crowd of over 700 supporters during a GRS roadshow at Kampung Mananam yesterday, Masiung said the proposal is in response to the strong grassroots sentiment in favour of local parties. 'Given the clear support shown by Sabahans for local leadership, I would propose that GRS contests 52 seats if agreed upon by the GRS chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor. The remaining 21 seats can be allocated to national parties that are willing to cooperate with GRS,' he said. Masiung, who is also Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) vice president, stressed that GRS has the potential to emerge as the dominant force in the next state government, especially with the opposition previously rejected by the people during their time in power. He added that GRS would exercise greater caution in forging alliances, taking lessons from the failed attempt to topple the state government via the so-called 'Kinabalu Move' in January 2023. Despite the attempt to topple Hajiji's government, GRS retained majority support with backing from Sabah Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional. At present, Masiung noted the working relationship between GRS and Pakatan Harapan (PH) remains stable and constructive, a partnership he believes should continue as Sabah heads toward the polls. 'If this cooperation between GRS and PH can be maintained, I am confident we have the strength and trust to once again form the Sabah State Government,' he said. The GRS component parties are Gagasan Rakyat, Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), Sabah STAR, United Sabah National Organisation (Usno), Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS), Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah. Earlier, Masiung's arrival at the Mananam Polling District Centre (PDM) was celebrated with a heroic welcome by the local Sungai Mangkuling community. The atmosphere was festive, with more than 30 motorcycles parading the GRS flag in a show of grassroots support. The tour was also attended by key leaders of GRS component parties in the Kuamut constituency. In a symbolic gesture, Masiung raised the GRS flag to officially mark the event, standing alongside PBS Division head Masum Takin, PPM representative Tokyo Hasim Omar, and USNO's James Aik.
