Sabah Dap Halts Rocket Launch For Polls To Use Harapan Logo

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DAP has grounded plans to launch its “rocket” logo for the Sabah polls, opting instead for its candidates to adopt the Pakatan Harapan symbol, alongside PKR and Amanah.
Party secretary-general Anthony Loke said the decision followed internal debate within Sabah DAP over whether to contest under its own logo or stay under the Harapan banner.
“Our candidates will use the Harapan logo. We are part of the federal coalition.
“We are a national party, and our Sabah DAP leaders are also part of the federal government. We are the ruling federal coalition right now.
ADS“Even though in the past, in Sabah and Sarawak, we gave some exceptions, this round, Sabah DAP felt that the best strategy is still to adopt the federal Harapan logo,” Loke told reporters during a press conference after launching Sabah DAP’s party machinery and candidate announcements.
Party sources said that earlier discussions about contesting independently stemmed from unhappiness with the seat-sharing formula between Harapan and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), which limited DAP and Upko’s share while PKR and Amanah sought more.
DAP candidate announcement for Sabah pollsSabah revenue entitlement
When questioned, Loke also addressed the long-running 40 percent revenue entitlement, saying DAP supports Sabah’s rights but insists the review must follow the Constitution.
“As far as DAP is concerned, the court ruling compels the federal government and state government to negotiate in the next 180 days. That is our position.
“The prime minister has made it very clear. The federal government upheld the position of the 40 percent as stated in the Federal Constitution.
“But that must be read together with other processes in the Federal Constitution too,” he said.
On Oct 17, the High Court in Kota Kinabalu declared the federal government’s failure to review Sabah’s 40 per cent revenue entitlement since 1974 as unconstitutional, describing the gap as the “lost years” in which the state was denied its rightful fiscal review.
Loke reminded voters that DAP was never in government during the decades when no review was done.
“Since 1974, there has been no review. There should have been one every five years… but none were held.
“Why didn’t previous governments do it then? As part of the federal government now, we are committed to give back fairness to Sabah.
ADS“But there is a process that must take place. Yes, the court has made a decision, but there is a process. A negotiation must take place to decide what the quantum is,” he said.
Loke further said DAP wants voters to judge the government by action, not rhetoric.
“The Madani government is pro-development for Sabah. We are not just saying this; we have proven it. Even before the court decision, we have already implemented various projects.
“Under my own ministry, there are several major projects being implemented. This year, we announced more flights to Kota Kinabalu, Tawau and Sandakan. All this is part of the federal contribution to Sabah,” he said.
Finalising one seat
Loke, meanwhile, confirmed that one seat in Sabah’s interior eyed by DAP is still under discussion with coalition partners.
“There are seven seats that we have announced. There is only one left, the interior seat. Our decision and our initial agreement is that we will contest that seat.
“However, there is still a request for further discussion to be held,” he said.
“Within the leadership, we want to maintain some decorum, understanding, trust, and respect for each other.
“That is why we have not made the announcement today,” said Loke, who did not reveal which coalition partner is also asking to contest the seat.
“As far as we are concerned, we are confident that our potential candidate is our best hope in terms of capturing that seat.
“This is about coordination, not conflict,” he added.
Initially, the party was tipped to contest Kemabong with the potential candidate being senator Noorita Sual, who is also a former Tenom MP.
Sabah heads to the polls on Nov 29. - Mkini

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