Kota Kinabalu: The action by Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) to announce its candidates to contest in the 15th General Election (GE15) is its own decision and has nothing to do with the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), said GRS Executive Secretary Mohamed Razali Razi.
He said as KDM is not a GRS component, GRS Chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor does not have the power to prevent or deny KDM from contesting in any parliamentary seats during the GE15, including those that will be contested by GRS or Barisan Nasional (BN) components.
“The KDM actions do not violate nor turn against the GRS, in line with the democratic principles because KDM is not part of GRS.
“Please be reminded that KDM announced that it will contest in parliamentary seats that are likely to be contested by BN and GRS,” he said in a statement, Wednesday.
He said GRS is currently concentrating all efforts on preparing the election machinery in all parliamentary constituencies.
“Cooperation between GRS and BN is a priority and will continue to be strengthened at every level and all parliamentary constituencies to ensure victory in the GE15,” he said.
Earlier, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor was urged to state his stand on the action by KDM to contest against BN and GRS.
BN Sabah Secretary Datuk Jafry Arifin said this was necessary to avoid confusion among the people about the GRS’ stand on cooperation with parties friendly to the GRS-BN Government.
“As we know, KDM has expressed support for, and even has applied to join the GRS, but at the same time, KDM has already announced several candidates who will challenge BN and GRS candidates in GE15...this is very confusing,” he said in a statement, Wednesday.
Therefore, Jafry, who is also the Umno Sabah Secretary, said Hajiji as GRS Chairman needs to clarify the matter once and for all.
On Tuesday, KDM announced that it will be contesting four parliamentary seats in GE15. Its President Datuk Peter Anthony was quoted as saying the party would contest in Kimanis, Sepanggar, Kota Kinabalu and Kota Marudu.
Regarding the KDM’s position within the GRS, Peter said his party had not received any response to his application to join the coalition.
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