TENOM: The president of the Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM), Datuk Peter Anthony, has asserted that the opportunities for parties from the Peninsula, especially the People’s Justice Party (PKR) and the Barisan Nasional BN, are equally fair, just like other parties, including the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), in the upcoming 17th State Election (PRN17).
This is because, he said, the local party sentiment played by GRS only serves to confuse the people of this state because, in reality, the coalition is also joined by parties from the Peninsula, namely the “Perikatan Nasional PN) and the Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS)”.
Urging the people of Sabah not to be hoodwinked by GRS’ assertion of being the genuine coalition of local parties, Peter said that it is different compared to Sarawak, where the Sarawak Party Alliance (GPS) is composed of local parties and therefore dominates the support in that state.
“The situation in Sabah is very different from the sentiment in Sarawak; GPS dominates the support of the people in that state because the members of GPS are local parties in Sarawak.
“In Sabah, on the other hand, GRS is not a coalition of local parties; GRS is composed of PN and PAS, which are Peninsula parties and are currently in opposition at the federal level.
“It is not easy for GRS to dominate PRN17 because other parties also have their own strengths,” he said when met during the 2024 Chinese New Year celebration in Tenom recently.
Meanwhile, Peter, who is also Melalap assemblyman, said that KDM has not yet made a decision on whether to contest in all constituencies in PRN17.
However, he said that the party has identified potential seats to win, including the Limbahau state constituency, which is currently held by former Deputy President of KDM, Datuk Juil Nuatim.
Last year, Juil announced his departure from KDM to join GRS as a direct member.
“The machinery in the KDM priority areas is already in its final preparations before the approaching PRN17, which is expected to be held in October this year or April next year.
