KOTA KINABALU, Nov 13 — Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) has not decided on whether to contest in the Batu Sapi parliamentary by-election said Sabah Bersatu deputy chief Datuk Masidi Manjun.
“To be honest none that I know of, no decision has been made so far,” the Sabah Local Government and Housing Minister said at daily press conference on the COVID-19 situation in the state here tonight.
He said this in response to the statement by Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin that there were rumours about Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) contesting the parliamentary seat, including the interest shown by a Bersatu leader in Batu Sapi.
Bung Moktar was reported as saying that Sabah BN has pledged its support for any candidate nominated by GRS if the coalition decides to contest in the Batu Sapi by-election.
The Batu Sapi seat fell vacant following the death of its Member of Parliament Datuk Liew Vui Keong from Parti Warisan Sabah (Warisan) on Oct 2. The Election Commission has fixed Nov 23 for nomination, Dec 1 for early voting and Dec 5 for polling for the by-election.
GRS, which comprises Perikatan Nasional (PN), BN and PBS, won the 16th Sabah state election in September to form the state government.
PN comprises Bersatu, PAS, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR) and Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), while BN is made up of Umno, MCA, MIC and Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS).
