KOTA KINABALU: No one political party will be able to dominate and call the shots for a coalition in the next election in Sabah.
United Kinabalu Progressive Organisation (Upko) secretary general Nelson Angang said it would be the end of any party that believes in such a view.
He said this in backing Upko president and Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development minister Datuk Ewon Benedick, who recently called for a new approach among political parties, in order for a coalition to work in the state where talks of early election has surfaced.
"Sincerity in forming a coalition comes from the honesty of its potential partners," Angang said, noting that Upko won one of the 12 seats it contested in the last Sabah election where it was up against the Perikatan Nasional and Barisan Nasional coalitions.
Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) did not exist then and many had predicted it would be the demise of Upko.
In the 2022 Parliamentary election however, the party won two seats, a result many attributed to the party's decision to realign its direction with Pakatan Harapan.
"If there are those who still cling to the old ways of thinking that one party can dominate and make a unilateral decision ignoring the views of others in a coalition, then be prepared to face extinction," he stressed.
"Upko is entitled to express its intention to contest for more seats. I'm certain most if not all parties would want the same even though they may not have expressed it yet," he said.
More than 30 state assemblymen have realigned themselves by switching parties or coalitions since the 2020 state election.
Ewon, who is Kadamaian assemblyman and Penampang Member of Parliament, was right in proposing for any potential coalition partners who may be thinking of wanting to work together with Upko and PH, Angang said.
"At least Upko is honest and making clear of its intention.
"The current political scenario in the country and Sabah is something that is very new and unique where we have a unity government.
"A new and fresh approach must be made if there is intention from other parties to form a coalition in the coming state election," he added.