Sabah polls: PKR's 13-seat target not arbitrary but based on feedback from state chapter, says youth leader
KOTA KINABALU: Newly-elected PKR deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar's statement that the party is eyeing 13 seats in the upcoming Sabah election was not a unilateral decision by the central leadership, says one of its youth leaders.
Mohd Guntur Sangkah said the figure was based on discussions involving Sabah PKR and potential election partners Barisan Nasional and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
"(The statement) was shaped based on a spirit of mature political cooperation, without sidelining the role of local parties," said Guntur, Sabah PKR's Pensiangan division youth leader and a member of the central youth committee.
ALSO READ: Challenges ahead for PKR, says Nurul Izzah
He was responding Tuesday (May 27) to a recent statement by Sabah STAR's information chief Anuar Ghani that federal parties in Pakatan and Barisan were undermining state rights by putting pressure on GRS to work with them.
"Sabah PKR is not merely a 'branch' that blindly follows central directives.
"Since its inception, Sabah PKR has been built through close collaboration between local leaders and national leadership, making it a truly rooted national party in Sabah," Guntur said in a statement.
ALSO READ: Anwar assures PKR of fair seat allocation in Sabah election
Guntur said PKR is the only national party to enshrine the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) in its party constitution, a clear commitment to the rights and autonomy of Sabah.
"Sabah STAR, on the other hand, should reflect on its own record before labelling others as political outsiders,' he said.
ALSO READ: Sabah DAP aims to contest 10 seats at state polls
He said Sabah STAR had once aligned itself with Perikatan Nasional, a coalition that openly weakened Sabah's position in MA63 negotiations and failed to deliver on many development promises.
"The reality is, Sabah PKR has remained consistent in its fight for reform and justice for the people of Sabah, while STAR continues to shift its stance according to political convenience.
"What Sabah needs is stability and principle, not opportunism," Guntur said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
‘Brace for surge in unverified graft claims ahead of polls'
KOTA KINABALU: More unverified news accusing politicians of corrupt practices are expected in the coming months, following the latest claims that Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Sabah Star leaders were also part of the ongoing mining scandal, says Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan (pic). The Sabah Star president said that with the state election approaching, it is unsurprising that certain groups or parties are attempting to exploit these issues in the hope of altering the political landscape in Sabah. As one of those recently accused of involvement in the scandal, Kitingan stated that he would not hesitate to pursue legal action against anyone disseminating false information, including the online news portal that published the allegations. 'From the start of this scandal, the whistleblower had himself cleared PBS and Sabah Star from being involved,' he said. An online news portal reported that Kitingan received RM1.78mil from mining activities, a claim that he has denied. In emphasising that neither he nor his party is involved in this scandal, he called on authorities, particularly the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. 'As a strong supporter of the Nature Conservation Agreement (NCA), I must stress that mining is not in line with the conservation agenda,' Kitingan said. He added that attempts to destabilise the state government had been taking various forms since the 1960s.
Borneo Post
2 hours ago
- Borneo Post
NCR land: Activist tells Nurul Izzah to back up words with action
Peter John Jaban KUCHING (July 1): Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) deputy president Nurul Izzah Anwar should follow up on her comments on Sarawak's Native Customary Rights (NRC) lands by engaging with affected communities and other stakeholders, said Peter John Jaban. While thanking Nurul Izzah for her concern, the rights activist however said such issues have existed for decades, yet has drawn little attention from the federal government. 'If these are the same concerns Nurul Izzah is raising in 2025, the question that must be asked is, why only now? 'For years, NCR landowners have fought alone in the courts, on logging roads, in far-flung longhouses, without legal access or media coverage. Where was the federal attention then?' he told The Borneo Post when contacted yesterday. He was asked to comment on Nurul Izzah's recent statement calling for faster action on surveys and ownership approvals of NCR land in the state, and for a halt to the issuance of new licences on disputed land. Peter said despite Nurul Izzah having held public office and speaking out on various national issues, her engagement on indigenous land issues, particularly in Sarawak, has been minimal. 'Still, her concern is valid to NCR landowners, but concern without clarity is not good enough.' He said without meaningful engagement with Dayak-based organisations or other land rights defenders, her words risk appearing 'superficial, a headline rather than a helping hand'. Nurul Izzah, stressed Peter, ought to meet with NCR landowners and civil society organisations, while also pushing for the reform of state-federal frameworks to ensure that native land rights are respected and 'not just surveyed for administrative convenience'. 'For her advocacy to matter, it must now be backed by real engagement,' he said, adding that Nurul Izzah's influence at the federal level could amplify the realities that local communities have long been trying to highlight. He went on to say that since the perimeter survey programme under Section 6 of the Sarawak Land Code began in 2010, civil society groups, lawyers, and native leaders have raised serious questions about its transparency, implementation, and implications. This has included concerns over the eventual conversion of NCR land into leasehold titles—a process Peter claimed that, in many cases, strips the land of its customary protections. lead ncr land nurul izzah anwar Peter John Jaban
Borneo Post
13 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Dr Sim: SUPP will continue its role in Sarawak's nation-building, put Sarawakians first
SUPP Kuching chairperson Datuk Lily Yong (second left) presents a memento to Dr Sim. — Photo by Voon Siang Pin KUCHING (June 30): Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) will continue to play its role in the state's nation-building and always put the interests of Sarawakians above all else, said its president Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian. The Deputy Premier said the party, since its establishment in 1959, had faced challenges and setbacks but these did not deter it from moving forward. 'We have been able to get to where we are today, not just because we continue to play our part in Sarawak's nation-building but also due to our firm belief and commitment to such goal rather than staying with the party for vested interests,' he said in his speech at the SUPP Kuching 66th anniversary celebration held at a hotel here on Sunday night. Dr Sim said SUPP has always been a multi-racial party that has stood together with Sarawakians through political ups and downs, as well as reforms. He said SUPP was not 'here to get rid of certain political parties' but to discard the obsolete mindset that hinders Sarawak's nation-building and progress. He further pointed out that as the oldest political party in Sarawak, it aimed to serve all Sarawakians and not a specific group. 'This is the key to our continued growth. SUPP has been able to win support from Sarawakians because it adopted pragmatic and self-reform approaches within the political mainstream, including having resolved to embrace unity and diversity in the past political crisis.' He also thanked former chief minister, the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, for his support rendered when SUPP was struggling. 'We did not survive by cheering slogans, but action and commitment to make sacrifices have determined what we have today,' he said. He said that nobody looked up to Sarawak in the past but the state, after undergoing reforms and policy advancement, had become the new hope and focus of Malaysia. On the state's road to regaining autonomy, Dr Sim said the Malaysia Agreement 1963 had not been honoured for many years, which was the root cause for Sarawak's fight for equal treatment. He said Sarawak would continue to strengthen its autonomous powers in various fields including education while giving its best to improve economy and infrastructure. 'We don't just talk about nation-building—we build it with policies and results. We invest in education, provide monthly allowances and waive education fees for poor students in a bid to cultivate talents who can bring about change for Sarawak.' Although Sarawak does not get the desired allocations from Putrajaya, he said the state's current annual budget has grown to as high as RM15.8 billion to see more economic progress and infrastructure development. Dr Sim emphasised that the next five years would be a critical period for Sarawak's nation-building process, and thus called on Sarawakians to reject external destructive forces that create divisions and confusion. He also urged SUPP leaders and members to stay calm, remain united and continue to uphold the 'Sarawak First' principle. Dr Sim Kui Hian nation-building Sarawak FIrst Sarawak United People's Party
