Parti Bersatu Sabah confident of retaining Matunggong stronghold

The loss of the Kota Marudu parliamentary seat, which was held by Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) president Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili two years ago, has not dampened the party’s hopes to retain the Matunggong state seat in the upcoming state election, says party deputy president Datuk Dr Joachim Gunsalam.

He said his party will be able to hold on to the state seat, which is one of the party’s traditional strongholds. Matunggong, together with Bandau and Tandek, are three state seats in the Kota Marudu parliamentary seat.

Tandek is held by PBS’S Hendrus Anding, while the Bandau seat is held by Datuk Wetrom Bahanda, who contested as an Independent to defeat Ongkili’s two-decade hold on Sabah’s northern Kota Marudu seat in the 15th General Election.

Gunsalam said PBS has an edge to retain the Matunggong seat held by party secretary Datuk Julita Majungki.

“Party members should stay strong and rally behind the party that is championing the rights of the natives,” he said at the Matunggong PBS annual general meeting yesterday.

Gunsalam, who is Deputy Chief Minister II, said PBS and Sabah STAR, led by Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together on their common struggle while avoiding divisive politics.

He added this cooperation also strengthens the unity of the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) government, led by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

Gunsalam said that cooperation was necessary among all the seven parties in GRS to ensure that the incumbent GRS state government gets a strong win in the 73 state seats.

“No one party can dominate the 73-state assembly, and we need to work with friends to govern Sabah effectively,” he added.