TAWAU: Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has expressed its ambition to contest more State Legislative Assembly (DUN) seats in the coming 17th State Election (PRN17) to ensure that the national reform agenda is also realised in Sabah.
Sabah PKR State Leadership Council Chairman Datuk Ts Mustapha Sakmud said the political landscape has shifted, with PKR no longer in the opposition bloc but now a key pillar of Pakatan Harapan (PH) and the Madani Unity Government.
“PKR needs a stronger voice in the DUN to raise crucial issues, especially concerning institutional reforms and anti-corruption efforts,” he said when met by reporters at Felda Umas on Sunday.
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');});He revealed that PKR is eyeing around 13 seats, although the final number has yet to be confirmed. In PRN15, PKR won seven seats but saw its representation drop to only two in PRN16.
Mustapha said the current level of representation is insufficient and that increasing the number of PKR assemblymen is crucial to amplifying the party’s reform agenda within the state legislature.
“We will be fielding selected candidates whom we believe can effectively champion reforms in the DUN. Their qualifications, management experience, and political involvement will be key factors in the selection process,” he added.
In terms of specific constituencies, Mustapha admitted that PKR is “dreaming” of contesting in Merotai, Kukusan, and Sebatik, although discussions for seats within the Tawau and Kalabakan parliamentary areas are still ongoing.
He also briefly touched on the importance of continued cooperation between PH, Barisan Nasional (BN), and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), saying that maintaining political stability remains a shared priority.
