Kota Kinabalu: Three Kadazan, Dusun, Murut and Rungus-based (KDMR) parties that are going solo in Saturday’s Sabah election are locked in head-to-head battles in some 14 constituencies and may end up doing the opposite of what they hope to achieve – champion the community’s interests.
This is because Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (Star), United Progressive Kinabalu Organisation (Upko) and Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM) would be taking on each other in the largely indigenous battlegrounds which may lead to vote-splitting and the fallout may benefit others.
They are involved in three-cornered clashes in Bengkoka, Tandek, Kadamaian, Tamparuli, Kiulu, Inanam, Moyog, Karanaan, Bingkor, Liawan, Melalap, Tulid, Nabawan and Telupid.
In all these constituencies, these parties are fielding candidates with each claiming to be the only true defender of the KDMR agenda.
In addition to the triple fights, six seats would see straight fights between two KDMR parties.
In Tempasuk, Star faces KDM, while in Limbahau, it is Upko against KDM. Kundasang will witness another Upko-KDM clash, while in Paginatan, KDM will be taking on Star.
The Tambunan and Kuamut seats also see Star going head-to-head with KDM, which may benefit GRS.
The intense overlap in contests has sparked discussion among analysts about the political strategy behind the parties’ decisions, given the obvious splitting of KDMR votes.
Star is led by Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan, who has long positioned the party as a voice for Sabah rights and native empowerment. In the previous election he took on his elder brother and Huguan Siou (paramount leader), Pairin, leading to the latter throwing in the towel within six months.
Upko, under President Datuk Ewon Benedick, has rebranded itself as a progressive multiracial party but with strong KDM representation, while PKDM, headed by President Priscella Peter, is the newest contender seeking to expand its grassroots base. Until recently PKDM was led by her father, Peter Anthony, who won’t be following the election as he is in prison after being found guilty of forgery.
Complicating matters is that Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS), PGRS, Parti Warisan as well as Bersatu would also be fielding KDMR candidates in many of these same constituencies.
PBS and Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah belong to Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), and Star at least would have been spared of the collateral damage had it remained in the ruling coalition. Star pulled out days before the State Assembly’s dissolution.
The multi-cornered battles among the KDMR parties are expected to be closely watched, particularly in rural heartland seats where KDMR voters form the majority.
