KOTA KINABALU, Nov 4 — Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is expected to visit Sabah this weekend to announce the coalition’s candidates for the coming 17th Sabah general election.
Sabah PKR Chief Datuk Mustapha Sakmud said they received information that Anwar‘s schedule would include several engagements in the State.
“Yes, we just received the information. His schedule includes the announcement agenda. He will be here on the 9th.
“In fact, as early as the 8th (of November). On the 9th, we will attend the central leadership meeting in Sabah.”
All leaders from the central level will attend it, he said.
“In the afternoon, we will announce our candidates,” he said when speaking to reporters after the Jelajah Harapan Urang Sabah event for Inanam at a restaurant, here.
When asked whether the announcement would also include other PH component parties such as DAP, Amanah and the United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko), Mustapha said the PH components remained united and would coordinate to ensure all were present.
He added that speculation suggesting Upko and DAP would contest under their respective logos had been discussed at the central level.
For now, there have been no further statements from either party on the issue.
Mustapha, who is also Deputy Higher Education Minister, dismissed talk that Upko was being sidelined in the coalition’s seat discussions.
“At the Sabah PH level, we discussed which seats we would like to contest. Then our chief negotiator will discuss them with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) and Barisan Nasional (BN).
“Datuk Ewon Benedick (Upko President) is our Sabah PH chief and coordinator,” he said, adding that PH component parties attend meetings whenever Ewon convenes them.
On the possibility of clashes between GRS and PH, Mustapha said PKR had advised Upko to avoid overlapping contests with GRS.
He said it would ultimately be up to Upko whether to proceed with fielding candidates, as such moves could affect coalition partnerships.
“However, for PKR, we respect and honour the discussions among our partners.
“There is a rule of incumbency in fielding our candidates,” he said.
Also present was Inanam assemblyman Datuk Peto Galim. — Daily Express
