PUTATAN — As political negotiations heat up before the Sabah state election, PKR is taking a cautious and strategic approach — asking for only one seat, Petagas, while signalling flexibility over others that changed hands after the 2020 polls.
According to Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, head of Sabah PKR, this approach balances respect for coalition partners with the need to recognise constituencies that shifted party allegiance mid-term.
“The principle is simple: seats rightfully won in 2020 belong to their respective parties. But those that changed because of defections — like Petagas — should be open to review,” Mustapha said at the Jelajah Harapan Urang Sabah event in Putatan.
He emphasised that PKR’s claim is grounded in data and performance, citing the 2022 general election results where Awang Husaini Sahari lost the Sepanggar parliamentary race by only 124 votes.
“That close margin proves the depth of our support here. We’re not asking for much — just one seat where our presence is already strong,” he said.
Analysts say PKR’s one-seat approach underscores its strategic discipline within the coalition, aiming to project stability while positioning itself as a key partner capable of winning marginal constituencies.
“PKR knows that in Sabah, negotiation optics matter. Asking for less signals confidence, not weakness,” said a local political observer.
-wilayah.com.my/
