PBRS awaiting BN leadership's decision on Sabah election seat allocations
KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) is waiting for the Barisan Nasional (BN) central leadership to finalise seat allocations for the upcoming Sabah election.
Its president, Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup, said, however, that the party is prepared to face the polls and has already expressed interest in the constituencies it wishes to contest.
PBRS is the sole Sabah-based party in BN. The other three component parties are Umno, MCA and MIC.
"PBRS has already stated its areas of interest, and we will see how it goes, as in the unity government there should be give and take.
"Being a local party, PBRS prioritises stable governments at both the state and federal levels.
"We are leaving it to the top leadership, as negotiations are still ongoing at the central level to determine the coalition and seat-sharing formula we are using," he said, without disclosing the seats PBRS is eyeing.
Arthur, who is also Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister, was speaking to reporters after closing the Sabah International Food Expo (SIFEX2025) at the Sabah International Convention Centre here.
In the 2020 state election, PBRS failed to win Sook, Tulid, Matunggong, Tandek, and Kadamaian, where they fielded candidates.
Arthur, who is also the Pensiangan member of parliament, said there had been unofficial talks among leaders, but none could be regarded as final.
Commenting on Barisan Nasional's victory in the Ayer Kuning by-election yesterday, where its candidate Dr Mohamad Yusri Bakir secured a large majority to retain the seat for the coalition, Arthur said the win reflected the people's confidence in, and hope for, BN within the unity government.
"For me, it shows the people's acceptance, giving confidence and hope to Barisan Nasional within the unity government to continue playing an important role.
"In my view, the people want to see a stable government and a government that works hard to deliver on the hopes and aspirations of the people."
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