Let PBS contest in Penampang – Moyog chief

PENAMPANG: Barisan Nasional (BN) leaders are urged to consider allowing more of its component members to contest in Penampang in the 14th general election.

Making the call was PBS Moyog chief John Chryso Masabal who is of the opinion that equally sharing the seats in Penampang will make BN stronger and united.

“Why not let a party with a good track record, which has never lost in any election in Penampang to contest in one of the seats here? By that I mean PBS, which had never lost in any election even when it was in the opposition,” he stressed.

In a statement here yesterday, Masabal pointed out that there are four major BN component parties in Penampang namely Upko, PBS, MCA and Umno.

Umno, he pointed out, is already represented by its division chief Datuk John Ambrose who was recently nominated as a senator. MCA’s representation comes in the form of its candidate in the Kapayan state assembly seat while for Upko its Penampang parliamentary and Moyog state seats.

Masabal is of the opinion that it is a smart strategy to have all the major BN component parties represented and this can be done by allocating one seat to PBS.

“Equally sharing the available seats will make BN stronger and united. It also pushes everybody to work harder and instills the sense of belonging in all of us in Penampang,” he said.

The PBS Supreme Council member disclosed that 30 per cent of the voters in Penampang are Chinese and they are predominantly in the Kapayan constituency.

“PBS is a multiracial party, therefore it fits to take the Penampang parliamentary seat. Traditionally the Penampang parliamentary and Moyog state seats belonged to PBS and the party has never lost in any election in Penampang even when it was in the opposition.

“Its track record is good and PBS is ready for the 14th general election. PBS wishes to see Penampang again represented by BN. Penampang is PBS’ stronghold and it has 70 over branches in the constituency, all which are still active.

“Why not give the opportunity to the party which never lost to represent BN in the 14th general election?” he asked.

In fact, Ambrose had in the past, suggested that PBS be considered to contest in one of the seats in the Penampang constituency.