Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Bersatu Chief Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee said they will be contesting the coming state elections under the Perikatan Nasional (PN) logo as decided by its supreme council.
He also said its component, SAPP, can leave if it is unhappy about being in the coalition.
“As far as their position is concerned, they are still a member of PN. (President) Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee has not attended the PN supreme council meeting for quite some time.
“He doesn’t even know what is being discussed, including the decision to contest under the PN logo in Sabah.
“Sabah is no stranger to PN, even Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor used it to contest before and so did I even though I went solo,” he said. SAPP is also a Gabungan Rakyat Sabah member.
He also rubbished the “Sabah for Sabahans” sentiment used against Malaya-based parties in Sabah.
“It had been advocated for some time by Sabahan parties but if I recall many seats were won under the PN banner.
“In Sabah, its not about your brand of politics but the leadership skills to overcome perennial issues like water, electricity, roads, floods.
“Sabah is open minded and doesn’t have the anti-West Malaysian mentality. Its voters are mature enough to see that they are voting for a credible leader.
“Sabah has been under local based parties, Usno, Berjaya, PBS, Warisan…why do you want to continue inheriting the basic infrastructure issues?” he said, Sunday.
Asked if PN would be collaborating with other parties, he said the topic has not arisen.
Bersatu Deputy President Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu said Parti Warisan came up with the sentiment but have since spread their wings to peninsula, questioning their current struggle.
Ahmad Faizal said they are in Sabah to brief divisions of the next conference and rules for internal party elections.
Bersatu Sabah has reactivated 600 branches active in 22 divisions from 2,300, after the mass exodus to GRS.
“Sabah has the most number of branches in the country and is reflective of strong grassroots support which is a good sign in the coming state elections to retake Putrajaya.
He, however, would not be Deputy President as the post would be going to Sec-Gen Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudddin. The Sec Gen post would go to Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali.
Ronald (second left) with Ahmad Faizal (middle) and Hamzah (second right)
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