PKR Sabah to contest 15 seats
Par Keadilan Rakyat has confirmed it will be contes ng for six parliamentary and nine state seats in the upcoming 14th general elec on.
KOTA KINABALU: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) confirmed that it will be contesting for six parliamentary and nine state seats in the upcoming 14th general election (GE14).
Announcing this during a press conference here yesterday, PKR Sabah chief Christina Liew said the six parliamentary seats are Ranau, Pensiangan, Tuaran, Tawau, Putatan and Beaufort, while the nine state seats are Api-Api, Kuala Penyu, Matunggong, Moyog, Tamparuli, Inanam, Kadamaian, Tempasuk and Karanaan.
“I was taken by surprise when I read that a Chinese newspaper ‘announced’ the number of seats PKR is going to contest,” Christina said, adding the report came as a shock to her and the party.
“I confirm that we are contesting six parliamentary seats and nine state seats, as of now,” she said.
Christina explained that there might be additional seats in the coming days which would be announced after being finalised.
“They could be either parliamentary or state seats. Hopefully there will be additions in the next few days. What’s certain is that even if there are changes, it will only increase and not decrease.”
She said the seats had been allocated as a result of negotiation between the Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan), within Pakatan Harapan (PH).
She also said the PKR candidate list would be revealed shortly, adding that it would include many new faces.
“Half of our candidates are first timers and we have at least three women. We have a good mix of candidates comprising youths and veterans from the Muslim, Chinese and Kadazan communities, who will be contesting for both parliamentary as well as state seats,” she said.
Meanwhile, PKR has begun distributing hand bills to the public, which summarises the party’s manifesto.
They feature 10 Promises in 100 Days (10 Janji 100 Hari), which include delaying National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) payment for those earning below RM4,000, targeted petrol subsidy, elimination of GST and restoring the rights of Sabah and Sarawak as per the Malaysian Agreement 1963, among others.
Christina also said the third part of PKR’s manifesto would be revealed on April 21 in Sandakan, which is to be launched by former Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Meanwhile, DAP Sabah confirmed on April 15 that the party would be contesting three parliamentary seats (Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Tenom) and seven state seats (Sri Tanjung, Luyang, Bingkor, Likas, Elopura, Tanjung Papat and Kapayan).
This means, based on the allocation of seats between Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sabah and Parti Warisan Sabah, Warisan will be contesting 16 parliamentary and 44 state seats or less if PKR gets additional seats after the seat negotiations are finalised.