KOTA KINABALU: It is still too early to hold an official meeting for an electoral pact for the upcoming state elections, said Sabah STAR president Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Kitingan.
While acknowledging the importance of cooperation in any election, the state Deputy Chief Minister said it was still premature to plan any meeting regarding an electoral pact.
“Not yet, that (meeting) is a long time away to plan,” he told reporters after officiating a new law firm in Damai on Thursday (Sept 26).
“Be patient,” Kitingan added.
On Tuesday (Sept 24), he had stated that cooperation among parties was important and such collaborations had existed for years and were likely to continue.
He made these remarks in response to Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) chairman Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor’s recent statement that the ruling coalition might need to form an electoral pact with national parties to secure success in the upcoming elections.
Previously, Kitingan, along with leaders from the Sabah Progressive Party and Parti Usno, suggested that GRS should contest the state election independently.
However, Hajiji had earlier said that GRS was not ready to adopt an “all-local” party formula like Gabungan Parti Sarawak for the upcoming 17th state election.
Hajiji also emphasised the importance of maintaining cooperation with national parties and strengthening the GRS coalition with Pakatan Plus.
The coming state election is expected to be held sometime around September next year.
