'Aspiring kingmaker KDM yet to decide on Sabah polls pact'
Published on: Wednesday, January 10, 2024
By:
FMT, Nora Mahpar
A KDM leader says the party has solid support in state seats in the parliamentary constituencies of Kudat, Tenom, and Kota Marudu. (Facebook pic)
PETALING JAYA: Peter Anthony’s Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) is adopting a wait-and-see approach amid speculation that it will join forces with either Barisan Nasional or Warisan in the next state election, a party leader says.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said KDM was still assessing which alliance would provide a better advantage and allow it to play the role of “kingmaker”, citing the party’s strength in rural seats.
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The leader said KDM had solid support in state seats in the parliamentary constituencies of Kudat, Tenom, and Kota Marudu.
KDM’s Wetrom Bahanda defeated Parti Bersatu Sabah president Maximus Ongkili, Kota Marudu’s MP for seven terms, in the last general election.
“If we can win seven seats, we can become kingmakers when it comes to forming the next government,” the source told FMT, adding that he believes the party will be able to secure more Kadazandusun and Murut seats based on current sentiment on the ground.
The term of the current Sabah government will expire in October 2025. However, chief minister Hajiji Noor has hinted at the possibility of a state election being held as early as next year.
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On Monday, Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the party would only decide on an electoral pact for the Sabah polls after the state assembly is dissolved, adding that it was open to forming an alliance with anyone.
However, Sabah Umno has the autonomy to decide on its alliances, he said.
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On Dec 14, Warisan president Shafie Apdal claimed Bung Moktar Radin had agreed to an alliance to take on Hajiji’s Gabungan Rakyat Sabah at the polls.
However, Sabah Umno deputy chief Rahman Dahlan later denied any such agreement. He said Sabah Umno had yet to decide on an electoral alliance partnering with any party.
Bung, along with Warisan, previously attempted to oust Hajiji from office by announcing that the coalition was withdrawing its support for the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah chairman.
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