No formal discussion yet on GE15 seat allocation
KOTA KINABALU: There has yet to be any formal discussions between Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) components pertaining to seats allocation in Sabah for the 15th general election.
According to Bersatu Sabah’s Election and Strategy director Datuk Seri Lajim Ukin, there have been informal chats about the issue among parties’ leaders but none on a formal level yet.
He however was of the opinion that the matter will be resolved when the formal meeting(s) is held and it will be a win-win situation for all concerned.
On the overlapping of seats, Lajim said that he believes there will not be three-corner fights in the election even though Umno Sabah has expressed its desire to field candidates in 14 of the 25 parliamentary seats in the state in the 15th general election.
Lajim said this in a press conference after a courtesy call on SESB’s CEO cum acting managing director Datuk Abdul Nasser Abdul Wahid yesterday.
“In Sabah there will be discussions among parties in GRS from time to time about seats allocation but the final decision will only be made after factors like majority of support from the rakyat in a respective parliamentary constituency is taken into consideration.
“We have to remember that what is important is that the party is not representing itself but the rakyat of Sabah,” he stressed.
On Bersatu Sabah’s targeted number of seats it hopes to contest in, Lajim said the party can set any target but it needs to take into consideration its comrades in GRS.
“We all have our target but at the end of the day when we think about the interest of the rakyat in Sabah, the state and country, we will be tolerant in the seats distribution,” said Lajim.
When asked to comment about Umno Sabah wishing to contest in the Beaufort parliamentary constituency, the senior politician pointed out that anyone can voice out their desire to contest.
“I too can say that Bersatu also wants to contest but what is important is that when the discussion is held and the seats allocation is done, everyone must abide (by the decision)… there must not be those who will contest as independent candidates,” he stressed.
Lajim also called on politicians in the country to be patient as the general election will be held as soon as the Covid-19 situation in the country improves.
“We need to consider the issues the Covid-19 pandemic has caused to the rakyat and the country. Even though the vaccine is available but it will take time to flatten the curve of infection and the vaccination program will incur a huge cost and politicians should understand this.
“The 15th general election will be held as our Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has said that it will be held once the situation improves and the cases are under control. I hope politicians can be patient because even though we are in a state of emergency, it will be lifted and we will have an election,” he said.