TAWAU: The Apas state constituency has emerged as one of the largest divisions under the Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (PGRS), with more than 11,000 registered members, making it one of the 74 most populous divisions in the state.
Apas PGRS Division Chief, Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan, said the division has so far successfully established 180 registered branches, with three more expected to be registered in the near future.
What makes the figures more significant, he said, is that nearly 10,000 of these members are registered voters in the Apas constituency, giving the party a strategic advantage ahead of the upcoming state election.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});Nizam, who is also the Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, said the growing number of members reflects rising public interest in PGRS and growing trust in the leadership of Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor, who is both party president and Chief Minister.
“The Chief Minister is a visionary leader whose Sabah Maju Jaya (SMJ) development agenda has brought real progress and wellbeing to the people of this state.
“This is why people continue to place their confidence in his leadership as both Chief Minister and PGRS President. His clear and consistent direction has earned increasing support from the grassroots,” he said.
Nizam, who is also the Apas assemblyman, was speaking to the media after officiating the PGRS Apas Annual Division Conference for the main body, Women’s, Youth and Youth Women’s wings, held at the Tawau Community Hall on Saturday, which drew nearly 3,000 delegates and observers.
He said the large turnout at the event demonstrated the strong commitment of Apas PGRS members to ensure the seat remains with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) in the upcoming 17th State Election (17th GE).
On preparations for PRN17, Nizam said he was satisfied with the level of readiness and commitment shown by the PGRS Apas Polling District Centre (PDM) committees.
“Thank God, Apas is ready. PDM operation rooms have been set up, and our party machinery has been activated. Grassroots engagement is ongoing to identify voters and ensure a strong turnout during the polls.
“I am very pleased with the commitment shown. Now we’re simply waiting for the official announcement of 17th GE,” he said.
As for the conference, Nizam said it would be the last before the next state election, as the current term is set to expire in November.
He added that a large delegation from Apas will attend the PGRS Annual General Assembly scheduled to be held at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) in Kota Kinabalu from 25 to 27 July.
Among those present at the conference were PGRS Treasurer-General Datuk Ghulam Haidar Khan Bahadar; Tawau MP Datuk Lo Su Fui; Balung assemblyman Datuk Hamild Awang; Kukusan assemblywoman Datuk Rina Jainal; and representatives from other GRS component parties.
