Pbrs Aspires To Replace Pbs Star In Sabah Interior Says Analyst

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PBRS president Joseph Kurup speaking to BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi during the party’s triennial delegates convention in Kota Kinabalu earlier this year.KOTA KINABALU: Parti Bersatu Rakyat Sabah (PBRS) may see the upcoming general election as its best opportunity to contest beyond its traditional seats.
Political analyst Arnold Puyok told FMT that party president Joseph Kurup’s statement yesterday that Barisan Nasional (BN) should go it alone in Sabah was an indication that PBRS was hoping to play a bigger role this time around under the leadership of Joseph’s son, Arthur.
“The suggestion is for the strategic benefit of PBRS. By going solo under BN, PBRS will avoid being overshadowed by other KDM-based parties, particularly Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku (STAR).
“Also, by going solo, it can potentially increase the party’s chances of contesting other seats considered to be PBRS’ non-traditional seats,” said Puyok.
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Joseph’s statement was the second time that PBRS had voiced out their concern about the proposed election collaboration between BN and Sabah-based Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS).
On Saturday, Sabah BN chairman Bung Moktar Radin confirmed that both Sabah BN and GRS had agreed in principle to avoid clashes in order to give the two coalitions the best chance of winning as many seats as possible.
Puyok believed PBRS was quietly optimistic about Sabah BN’s chances because unlike GRS which had just been officially registered seven months ago, BN was considered an established political brand in Sabah that was synonymous with the people, particularly in Sabah’s rural areas.
“I believe PBRS is convinced that it is more than capable of replacing PBS and STAR as the alternative party in the interior areas,” he said.
PBRS currently has only Pensiangan, a seat deep within the Murut nation, as its sole parliamentary seat which Joseph held for two terms between 2008 and 2018 before passing the baton to his son, Arthur.
The 40-year-old Arthur is a popular figure and well-liked by his Pensiangan constituents and is expected to run for re-election in GE15.
Rumours are circulating that PBRS is eyeing other seats in the interior, particularly Keningau which is currently held by STAR president Jeffrey Kitingan who won the seat with a razor-thin majority of 45 votes in 2018.
Kitingan’s closest rival at the time was Warisan’s Jake Nointin who left the party in October last year to join PBRS.
The other seat PBRS is likely to be interested in is Tenom which is currently held by DAP’s Noorita Sual.
PBRS left BN after the coalition lost the 2018 general election but has since realigned with it. - FMT

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