Kota Kinabalu: Never before in the history of Sabah general elections have there been so many aspiring politicians vying to become a Yang Berhormat (YB).
Veteran politician Datuk David Chong Ket Sui said there were only three local parties contesting in the first election in 1967, but now the number had grown to at least 21, excluding independents as well as Malaya-and Sarawak-based ones, in this month’s 17th Sabah election.
“This is probably a world record, if not a Malaysian Book of Records. The number of contesting parties in the fray could be over 30 come nomination day on Nov 15.
“This election is very crowded and the electorate must set their minds straight on who to vote for and not get distracted with so many ‘offers’ in the field,” he said.
He estimated that for this election, the Election Commission is expected to collect at least RM3,395,000 from the deposits of RM5,000 from each of the 679 candidates.
He said the projected list of local Sabah parties contesting in the election, shared on social media, shows they are divided into several blocs.
Beginning with Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), there are Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan), Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), United Sabah National Organisation (Usno), Parti Harapan Rakyat Sabah (PHRS), Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Parti Cinta Sabah (PCS), which are predicted to contest 49 seats.
Gerakan Bersatu Sabah (GBS) comprises Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star Sabah), which are likely to contest all 73 seats.
The United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) will share the 24 seats allocated to Pakatan Harapan, which is partnering with GRS, while Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS), teaming up with Barisan Nasional, could probably contest at least two seats.
The others contesting alone without any alliance are Parti Warisan (73 seats), Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat–KDM (36 seats), Parti Impian Sabah–PIS (73 seats), Perjuangan Rakyat–PR (73 seats), Parti Kerjasama Anak Negeri–Anak Negeri (55 seats) and Parti Gemilang Anak Sabah–GAS (55 seats).
The rest are Parti Pertubuhan Perpaduan Rakyat Kebangsaan Sabah–Perpaduan probably 50 seats, Parti Kebangsaan Sabah–PKS (40 seats), Parti Damai Sabah–SPP (24 seats), Parti Perpaduan Rakyat Sabah (PPRS) and Parti Rumpun Sabah–Rumpun (no information yet).
“Why are so many eager to contest? Because they think this time it is easy to win given the ‘interesting’ sentiments being played up, such as rejecting Malaya-based parties and the 40 per cent revenue issue,” he said.
The 21 local parties represent at least 679 candidates who are after just 73 seats in the Sabah Legislative Assembly.
Looking at the contesting parties in the fray, he believes at the end of the day there will be no single party able to secure a two-thirds majority, so a coalition government is likely.
He said the party that wins the most seats should be given the right to lead the government and invite others who win seats to be part of the Cabinet.
“We can no longer fight among ourselves because at the end of the day, we are all Sabahans. What is important is to bring progress and development to the people who have given their mandate.
“The political parties must fulfil the pledges made in their manifestos and election speeches. The people are now more sophisticated; unlike before, they no longer follow blindly despite empty promises,” said Chong.
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