Parti Bersatu Sabah deputy president Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili tells NST that the party has never stopped speaking for the people.
Question: How is the seat allocation status for Parti Bersatu Sabah in the 14th General Election (GE14)? Is it the same as GE13 or will there be any swap?
Answer: Parti Bersatu Sabah will be contesting in 13 state and five parliamentary seats (same as GE13). The announcement of final candidates will be made a few days before nomination day.
Q: For the six seats the party lost during the last election (Matunggong, Kadamaian, Tamparuli, Inanam, Api-Api and Sri Tanjong), will PBS field new faces, experienced candidates or retain the same contenders?
A: Winnable, seasoned candidates will be put back to contest with the guidance of Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak, and based on comments of state BN chairman Tan Sri Musa Aman.
We will also consider the information from the ground.
On the number of fresh faces, we have yet to finalise it, but the party will have veterans, young people and Wanita candidates to ensure that the seats remain safe.
Q: PBS is known to be more of a traditional party. Will having fresh, younger, yet credible candidates appeal and draw more support from the younger generation?
A: The interview for possible candidates is still ongoing and it will be revealed in a week’s time.
Q: Some Kadazandusun Murut-based (KDM) opposition parties are forming pacts. Political analysts have described KDM-majority seats as marginal, which can go either way. What is the sentiment of KDMs at present?
A: It is not going to be easy, especially in urban areas.
But being optimistic, we will highlight our record as the pursuer of state rights, bank on our credentials as a party that has never stopped speaking for the needs of the people, and our contributions to the cabinet, state assembly and Parliament.
Q: Sabah BN is also facing the challenge from more state-based opposition parties. How will PBS face multi-cornered fights?
A: The party machinery is up and, with assistance from Supreme Council members, we are confident of our winnable candidates in all the seats allocated to us.