Vote Star instead of PBS for PN to win, urges Jeffrey Kitingan
TAMBUNAN: Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star) and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) continued their tussle to win the hearts and minds of voters in the 16th Sabah election, despite being on the same side.
As the election campaigning enters the second and penultimate week, the latest development saw Star president Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan beseeching voters to back its candidates in seats where they are also given a choice of a PBS nominee.
He said Star, which represents Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the polls and PBS should have worked together, with their common goal being to topple Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) as well as its allies in the polls.
“But PBS is fielding candidates that clashes with ours despite them being given 15 seats, while Star was only given 8 seats before nomination day.
“But it is not too late, we still have to take our chances. If possible, start from Tambunan. Do not cast your votes for the other side (PBS) as it will be wasted. Cast it here (Star).
“This election is not about picking either Star or PBS, but it is whether PN or Warisan should lead the government,” he said during the Program Jelajah Prihatin Rakyat at Kampung Rompon here on Saturday night.
Kitingan, who is defending
Tambunan, also said that the deal with PBS in the polls was to work together without contesting against each other.
PBS, however, fielded 22 candidates which is an additional seven seats than what was agreed to with its allies.
PN is now seeing clashes among its allies in 17 seats, out of the 73 state seats up for grabs in the Sept 26 state polls.
Kitingan also questioned PBS for contesting using its own logo despite being part of PN.
“Why did they not use the PN logo? What if they win and ‘run away’?”
Kitingan also said Star contributed significantly with its sole Keningau parliament seat, in which he is the elected representative in the formation of PN government in March. The party also ended up as a kingmaker at the state level in the last election through its Tambunan and Bingkor state seats.
“It is not about the number of seats that is important, but the strength and quality of the seats.”
In the Tambunan state seat, Kitingan is facing a six-cornered fight against PBS’ Silverius Bruno, Upko’s Laurentius Nayan Ambu, Parti Cinta Sabah’s Damian Marcus Podtung, Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah’s Nordin Jaini, as well as a singer Jimmy Palikat contesting as an independent.